Margaret Moncrieff (6 February 1921 – 12 November 2008) was a Scottish cellist and author writing under the pseudonym Helen McClelland and writing novels in the Chalet School series.[1]
Margaret Moncrieff | |
|---|---|
| Born | Helen Margaret Moncrieff (1921-02-06) 6 February 1921 (age 101) Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 12 November 2008(2008-11-12) (aged 87) |
| Pen name | Helen McClelland |
| Occupation | Cellist, teacher, writer |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Music |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2, including Catriona Kelly |
| Relatives | Alexander Moncrieff, Lord Moncrieff (father) Helen McClelland Adams (mother) |
In 1921, Moncrieff was born as Helen Margaret Moncrieff in Edinburgh, Scotland. Moncrieff's father was Alexander Moncrieff, Lord Moncrieff, and her mother was Helen Moncrieff (née McClelland Adams, formerly Spens).[2][3]
In London, Moncrieff studied the cello at the Royal College of Music with Ivor James, and then in Paris, with Pierre Fournier.[2] She went on to a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher.
Moncrieff was a professor of cello at the Royal College of Music.[3]
When Moncrieff was in her 60s, she became a writer.[3] In 2003, Moncrieff wrote her memoir.
In 1957, Moncrieff married Alexander Kelly (1929–1996) a pianist, composer, and later head of keyboard studies at the Royal Academy of Music.[4] They had two children: cellist Alison Moncrieff Kelly, and Catriona Kelly, Professor of Russian at New College, Oxford.[1]
Montcrieff's entries in the series include:[7]