Helen Mary Gaskell
Society hostess and philanthropist in London
About Helen Mary Gaskell
Lived 1853 – 1940 (aged 86–87).
Helen Mary Gaskell (née Melville), CBE, known as May Gaskell (1853–1940) was a society hostess and philanthropist in London who established the British War Library. The letters were only discovered in 2005, when May's great-grandchild Josceline Dimbleby wrote a book about the affair, called "A Profound Secret". Burne-Jones also painted May herself.
Gaskell founded the War Library in 1914 and remained actively involved as its Honorary Secretary throughout the war.
Despite moving in similar circles, she was no relation to Elizabeth Gaskell.
Awards and honours CBE, 1917.(The London Gazette)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Helen Mary Gaskell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Helen Mary Gaskell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Helen Mary Gaskell?
society hostess and philanthropist in London
When was Helen Mary Gaskell born?
Helen Mary Gaskell was born in 1853.
When did Helen Mary Gaskell die?
Helen Mary Gaskell died in 1940.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Helen Mary Gaskell
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Helen Mary Gaskell. https://biography.guide/helen-mary-gaskell/
MLA: "Helen Mary Gaskell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/helen-mary-gaskell/.
Chicago: "Helen Mary Gaskell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/helen-mary-gaskell/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:11 UTC