Leslie Alfred Redgrave (1882 – 15 May 1956), was an Australian writer, grazier and headmaster.[1] He was often published as L A Redgrave and as an educator was known as L Alfred Redgrave, B.A.[2] Redgrave was best known for his 1913 novel Gwen: a romance of Australian station life.[3]
Leslie Alfred Redgrave | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1882 Newtown, Sydney |
| Died | 15 May 1956 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Newington College University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Writer and headmaster |
| Spouse | Ruby Ella née Bird |
| Children | Geoffrey Alfred Redgrave Ronald Leslie Redgrave |
| Parent(s) | Charles Alfred Hurst Redgrave Mary Jane née Bellingham |
Redgrave was born in Newtown in Sydney, the son of Charles Alfred Hurst Redgrave and Mary Jane (née Bellingham). He attended Newington College (1899–1902) as a day-boy whilst his parents resided in Paddington. In 1900, and again in 1901, he passed the Junior Examination and in 1902 he was appointed as a Prefect at Newington.[4] In March 1902 he passed the Matriculation Examination and went up to the University of Sydney.[5] Redgrave graduated as a Bachelor of Arts three years later in 1905.[6]
From 1907 until 1915, Redgrave was the proprietor and headmaster of Highfield College at Turramurra. The school was at 51 Ku-ring-gai Avenue[7] and his brother, Wilfred Harold Redgrave, ran the junior school. Advertising for the school said:
(a) An ideal home for young boys, with a mother's care, and best of food, and every comfort.
(b) Primary and secondary education, with the individual attention of graduate masters.
(c) Specially equipped classrooms, dormitories, and playing fields, in a fine healthy climate.[8] On its closure in 1915 the building was demolished and redeveloped with a new home in 1917.[9]
In 1911 he married Ruby Ella Bird at St Leonards.[10] The union produced two sons, Geoffrey Alfred (born 1912) and Ronald Leslie (born 1913).[11]
From 1923 until 1943 Redgrave lived at Bellingara, 109 Copeland Road Beecroft.[12] He then moved to Oura via Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, and he died in Wagga in 1956.[13]