KATHARINE WALDO DOUGLAS, CBE 1870 – 1939

Wife of Romilly, novelist and translator

When not focused on writing and researching books, Katharine immersed herself in charitable works or accompanied her husband, Romilly, on fascinating travels, sources of inspiration for her books.

Katharine was born in New York City, the daughter of Henry Livingtone Douglas and Hortense Pauline Armstrong. She married Francis Hunter in 1894 and had two children. In 1907, she married Romilly in London, and they had one son, Robin.  She was an excellent linguist, translating Auguste Rodin’s book ‘Art’ into English, and she wrote a number of novels.

Perhaps her most notable books are The Basque Country 1921, illustrated by Romilly.

Manor Life of Old France; From the Journal of Sire de Gouberville 1933, illustrated by Romilly. A fascinating insight into 16th-century French manor life, based on contemporary journals.

Katharine distinguished herself in World War 1 with dedicated hospital and relief work. She was Honorary Organiser & Chairman of the Belgravia War Hospital Supply Depot and worked with the American Red Cross. She was decorated twice for her services with an MBE and a CBE.

Katharine had great vitality, a wide circle of friends in Britain, France and America.  Romilly & Katharine spent time in Portugal, where she helped oversee the restoration of Quinta de Bacalhôa (30 klms south of Lisbon) that belonged to her American friend Mrs Orlena Scoville. They had a project writing on various aspects of Portugal, including azulejos, glazed tiles, but it was never realised. Returning from Portugal to their home in France in March 1939, the Feddens were killed in a train accident.

She is buried alongside Romilly in the Aïce Errota churchyard in St Jean de Luz, Basque Country, France.

KATHARINE WALDO DOUGLAS – LITERARY WORKS


The Sign 1912  MacMillan & Co.

The Spare Room 1913 Houghton Mifflin & Co., NY

Shifting Sands 1914 Houghton Mifflin NY

The Basque Country 1921 A & C Black London

The Peacock’s Tail 1926

Manor Life in Old France, 1933, Columbia University Press

Translated Art by Auguste Rodin into English, 1912, Hodder & Stoughton