Gertrude Glyn
(1886-1965), Actress and singerGertrude Glyn (Gertrude Mary Rider)
Sitter associated with 3 portraits
by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 1911
NPG x85703
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 January 1911
NPG x103671
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John Culme
08 June 2020, 18:11
Gertrude Glyn's real name was Gertrude Mary Rider. She was born on 26 September 1886 at Hanwell, Middlesex, youngest of the nine children of James Gray Rider (b. 14 July 1847), a civil servant (Treasury, H.M. Customs, &c.) and his wife, Elizabeth (b. 1848). According to Press reports, she began her career as a singer at the age of 14 before securing a small part in The Snow Man, a fairy play at the Lyceum Theatre, London (21 December 1899). After several other engagements, including understudy to Ellaline Terriss in Bluebell in Fairyland (Vaudeville Theatre, London), she joined the cast of The Orchid (Gaiety Theatre, London, 26 October 1903-24 May 1905), where she was a member of the chorus and understudy at various times to Gertie Millar and Gabrielle Ray. Miss Glyn was also in the cast of The Merry Widow (Daly's Theatre, London, 8 June 1907), in which she was one of the several understudies to the leading lady, Lily Elsie (of whom, in private life, she was a friend). Miss Glyn's theatrical career came to an end upon her marriage to Captain Walter Beresford Bulteel (1873-1952) of the Scottish Horse, at St. Paul's, Knightsbridge on 9 May 1918. She died at White Waltham, near Maidenhead on 16 October 1965.
Contrary to a misunderstanding, Gertrude Glyn was never a performer on the music hall stage.