Janet Penrose Trevelyan (née Ward), 1879-1956

‘I can think of no one in my time who better illustrates the saying that there is no limit to the good a person can do if he is indifferent to receiving credit for it.’ – Henry Hollond

Janet Trevelyan’s public activity fell into two distinct streams. In 1920, she succeeded her late mother, the author Mrs Humphry Ward, as the Chair of the Children’s Play Centres Committee. She successfully increased their provision and raised money for their maintenance. This work culminated in her leadership of the campaign to save the former site of the Foundling Hospital in London from redevelopment. The site, now named Coram’s Fields, remains a children’s park to this day, with adults only admitted if accompanied by children. For this achievement, Janet was awarded the Companion of Honour.

Her other great interest was Italy. Janet played a fundamental role in the establishment and continued survival of the British Institute of Florence, serving as Honorary Secretary for 26 years. In the speech in which Professor Henry Hollond gave Janet the high praise of the quote above, he added that she had done more than most professors to interpret Italian history and literature for the public.

Janet was also the published author of many books, ranging from translations of religious texts, original historical works on Italy, a biography of her mother, and, on display here, an account of her involvement with the Foundling Site Appeal.

TRER/44/8 (detail)