Gwynneth Clifton Tainton

Alternate Names

     Her married name was Glanville.

Birth, Marriage and Death information

     Gwynneth Clifton Tainton was born in 1885 at Riversdale, Cape Colony, RSA.
     She married Thomas Burt Glanville, son of Ernest Glanville and Emma Priscilla Powell, after 1902 at RSA.
     She died in 1967 at RSA.

Other information

     In 1935 South African Women's Who's Who 1935

GLANVILLE, Mrs. GWYNNETH CLIFTON, wife of Thomas Burt Glanville, son of Ernest Glanville, South African writer and journalist and grandson of Thomas Glanville, M.P., and Cape Commissioner in England who, before coming to S. Africa founded the Educational Institute at Bangalore in the Mysore Provinces, India, circa 1846. Did much to establish printing in S. Africa; started the "Courier" in Maritzburg, Natal, and was Editor and part-proprietor of "The Journal," Grahamstown, C.P. He and his son, Mr. Ernest Glanville conveyed a printing plant from Grahamstown to Griqualand West by ox-wagon, and produced the newspaper "The Diamond News." He also later established the "Empire" newspaper in London. The Glanvilles are a family of ancient origin in England, where they have made their home and contribution to the affairs of the Realm since the Conquest. An outstanding figure in their family history was that of Lord Ranulph de Glanville, Earl of Suffolk, etc., etc., Chief Justice and Treasurer of England, who was the author of the "Antiente Laws and Customs of England," still extant. He has been called "the Father of English Jurisprudence." In 1174, as Seneschal of England, he captured William the Lion of Scotland, who invaded England during Henry's II, absence in France; took part in the Third Crusade helping to finance himself and others from his own fortunes, dying with Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, who accompanied him, before the walls of Acre in 1191. Sir John Glanville, son of Judge (Sir John) Glanville of Elizabeth's day, was the Speaker in the House of Commons at the time of Charles I's impeachment. His royalist loyalties cost him more of his possessions. In the Journal of the House of Lords (July, 1644) he is cited as calling upon his privileges from the Tower, "being a member of their Lordship's House and having already sustained as much damage in his possessions and estate as any man of his degree and calling in England by reason of the unnatural Civil Wars and troubles of the time." Is the daughter of Clifton F. B. Tainton, a former editor of the Mining Journal in Johannesburg, subsequently for a time Manager of the Argus Company's London Branch, returned to Johannesburg as Managing Director for L. Ehrlich & Co., subsequently started two daily newspapers. "The Transvaal Chronicle" (Pretoria) and "Evening Chronicle" (Johannesburg), and his wife, born Halse, one of the few remaining of the first generation of 1820 Settlers, who was born at Aliwal North, C.P., both parents being pioneers of Johannesburg. Mrs. Glanville's connection with this country has been of unusual length, one of her forebears being an officer in the 21st Dragoons with the English Army of Occupation at the Cape in 1806, while others followed in 1820 with Shepstone, with whom they were closely connected by marriage. In England, too, on both sides, her family has been linked with English history as far back as the Conquest and Domesday Book. An interesting family connection of the Elizabethan times being that with the Drake family, with whom they intermarried. A ring belonging to Sir Francis Drake is still in possession of a member of the family. Born at Riversdale, C.P., was educated at Blackheath and London, England. Has one daughter, Gwynneth Valerie Burt, married to A. E. (Peter) Graham, of White River, E. Transvaal, and one son, Clifton Ernest Burt. Is the founder, organiser and editor of "The Tree of Mercy Anti-Cruelty League and Silver Leaf Association," and its magazine (1923) with which she later incorporated the African's Animal Defence League and Owner-Driver's Association, for non-Europeans. Foundation member and Vice-President for many years of the Johannesburg Women's Civic Society; foundation member, Director and first President - for three years - of the Rand Women's Club; foundation member and Vice-President of the Johannesburg Branch of the League of Women Voters and member of Headquarter's Executive, Pretoria. Has always been a keen and active supporter of women's rights; member for six years of the Executive of the S.P.C.A., Johannesburg; foundation and Executive member of the Management Board of the Bantu Refuge and Shelter; Executive member of the Joint Women's Committee of European and African Women; member of the National Council of Women, Johannesburg Branch, and an Executive member of Affiliated Societies' Board and Cinema and Broadcast Committee N.C.W; Executive member of the Joint Council non-European Child Welfare; Executive member of the Goodwill Club; member of the Safety First Council; first Vice-President of the Victoria League (revived Johannesburg 1936); Examiner in Guide Badges "Literary" and "Kindness to Animals." Besides these organisations takes a keen interest and active part in assisting other charitable institutions, particularly where affecting destitute and necessitous children. Is a strong advocate for the humane lethalising of animals, and has done much to bring about more humane methods of slaughter in our abattoirs. Her recreations and hobbies are writing (literary) and has contributed many pamphlets and articles to local and overseas magazines and newspapers, music, gardening, motoring, dancing and all social welfare work. Is a member of the Rand Women's Club and affiliated clubs and the Goodwill Club. Her home is 107 Jan Smuts Avenue, Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
     On 18 August 1947 she was named cousin when registering the death at Johannesburg of Altham Godefroy Tainton aged 55.