| Description | In 1958 Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's daughter-in-law Joyce Cadbury, the wife of her eldest son Laurence John Cadbury (1889-1982), delivered a broadcast about Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury for the BBC Radio Four programme 'Woman's Hour' to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Elizabeth's birth. Joyce Cadbury provides a personal portrait of her mother-in-law, describing her as 'a legendary figure' in Birmingham.
In her biography of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury, Joyce Cadbury refers to her mother-in-law's public activities and remarks on her 'strong convictions' which were 'rooted in her firm Christian belief'. Her account also includes many personal stories which serve to illustrate Taylor Cadbury's character. Joyce Cadbury remarks 'the greater part of her life was spent in helping to improve the lot of others', referring particularly to her mother-in-law's work to improve housing and the lives of young people.
Joyce Cadbury also suggests that Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury 'loved the feeling that she was being rather wicked' by occasionally indulging in a glass of sherry or a cigarette to which Joyce Cadbury attributes 'her perennial youth'. She concludes her account with a quotation from Bernard Shaw who once said that Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury was one of the very few people he would like to meet in the afterlife.
Two printed copies of this address have been preserved amongst Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's personal papers. |