From the battlefields of Civil War to the bright lights of stage and screen, Wimbledon High School has been home to many remarkable women. Continuing our series on WHS’s most impactful alumnae, we journey from the bravery of Civil War heroine Kitty Ramsay to the wit and resilience of theatre and film star Margaret Rutherford. Read on to discover how this extraordinary alumna rose above personal hardship to become one of Britain’s most beloved performers of the early 20th century, and how her legacy continues here at WHS.
(The following article contains references to violence and suicide which may be distressing for some readers)
Rutherford’s childhood was characterised by struggle. Prior to her birth in 1892, her father had suffered a nervous breakdown and was admitted into a mental institution in 1882. Following his release a year later, he murdered his father and was certified insane and sent to another mental institution. Seven years later, he was discharged and reunited with his wife.
Margaret was born in 1892 in Balham, Wandsworth. In an effort to escape their troubles, the family emigrated to Madras, India shortly after her birth. Though, after her mother’s tragic suicide, Margaret was sent back to London to live with her aunt in Wimbledon, and her father was re-admitted into a mental institution where he remained until his death.
During her time living in Wimbledon, she was educated here at Wimbledon High School, and then subsequently attended Raven’s Croft School from the age of 13. During her time at school, she took an interest in theatre, prompting her to take private acting lessons at the Old Vic drama school using her aunt’s inheritance following her graduation.
Although Margaret Rutherford had a deep passion for acting, she was also a gifted pianist and initially pursued a career as a piano teacher. It wasn’t until the age of 33 that she fully embraced the world of theatre. By that time, her age and appearance often excluded her from romantic heroine roles, leading her instead to establish a name for herself in the comedy genre. In her autobiography, she reflected, “I never intended to play for laughs. I am always surprised that the audience thinks me funny at all Some of her most well-known theatre performances include her role as Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Globe Theatre in 1939 and Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit in 1941. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to theatre and film, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1966.
Rutherford made her film debut in 1936, but it was her performance in the 1945 adaptation of Blithe Spirit that truly established her reputation in Hollywood. She went on to achieve international fame in the 1960s through a four-part film series based on Agatha Christie’s novels, directed by George Pollock, in which she portrayed the iconic Miss Jane Marple. Over the course of her film career, Rutherford worked alongside some of the era’s greatest stars, including Maggie Smith, Marlon Brando, Charlie Chaplin, Sophia Loren, and Elizabeth Taylor. Her talent and versatility earned her numerous accolades, among them an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award.
Away from the spotlight, Rutherford’s personal life was marked by both love and struggle. At the age of 53, she married fellow actor Stringer Davis after a 15-year courtship. The pair were inseparable, often performing together, with Davis also serving as her private secretary and caring for her during bouts of depression. In her later years, Rutherford suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and was lovingly cared for by Davis until her death on 22 May 1972, her gravestone inscribed with the words A Blithe Spirit.
In honour of her remarkable legacy, in 2007, Wimbledon High School opened its new performing arts centre, named The Rutherford Centre for the Performing Arts, to celebrate her achievements as an alumna of this school.
Margaret Rutherford’s life was marked by her outstanding resilience and talent. From overcoming personal adversity to achieving international recognition on stage and screen, she remains an inspiration to generations of students at Wimbledon High School. Her legacy endures not only through her celebrated performances but also in the spirit of The Rutherford Centre for the Performing Arts, which stands as a testament to her remarkable journey and career.
