Jan Struther 1901-1953

Jan Struther was the nom de plume of Joyce Anstruther, later Joyce Maxtone Graham/Joyce Placzek.

She was born on June 6th. 1901, youngest child of Henry (Harry) Torrens Anstruther M.P. and (later Dame) Eva Anstruther (née Hanbury-Tracy). She died in 1953. Her most renowned work is the novel, Mrs. Miniver, which chronicles the life of a British middle class family during World War II.

The book was made into a film (see below) and starred Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson. The film won 6 Hollywood Oscars in 1942, including the award for Best Picture.

Starting at the age of 16, Jan Struther wrote articles, poems, and short stories for periodicals, most notably, "Punch". Her volumes of poetry include Betsinda Dances and Other Poems, 1931; Sycamore Square and Other Verses, 1932 (illustrated by Ernest Shepard); Try Anything Twice, 1938; and The Glass Blower, 1941.

Mrs. Miniver Pages

Jan Struther - A Bibliography

Jan Struther - Dative & Ablative

Henry Torrens Anstruther - by Joyce Anstruther - a "vignette".

The Story of Reckless Mike and Ruthless John - from - "A Modern Struwwelpeter" - by Jan Struther and illustrated by Ernest Shepard, 1936

She wrote the words for several hymns - hymns that are still in use today. This, perhaps, is the best known and most popular of those works.

Lord Of All Hopefulness

During the Second World War, Jan Struther lived in New York City with her children. There she was a popular lecturer. In 1948 she married A. K. Placzek. She died from cancer on July 20th., 1953 in New York.

A Biography of Jan Struther, titled The Real Mrs. Miniver, written by Ysenda Maxtone Graham was published in November 2001. For further details contact the publisher - click on JM logo.

Jan Struther - Photographed c. 1914

This link opens "The Family Vault" if you have arrived on this page from another Zone or from a Search Engine. (New window)

Jan Struther - photographed with Babs Anstruther, her sister-in-law, c.1926.

 

"Mrs. Miniver" link

Some Articles about MRS. MINIVER

"Private opinion creates public opinion. That is why private opinion, and private behaviour, and private conversation are so terrifyingly important." ~ Jan Struther ~