Jump To Section:
Clan Montgomery are blessed with a wealth of talented members who have achieved stunning success across the globe in numerous different ways. Whether they made their name on the battlefield, the big screen, or the political stage, they have all honoured the great Montgomery family.
Meet the Famous Montgomerys
Robert Montgomery
Robert Montgomery, born Henry Montgomery Jr. in 1904, excelled as an actor, director and producer. He began his career on the hallowed stages of New York, honing his talent before being spotted by MGM agency, who were impressed by his ability and offered him a lucrative contract. He appeared in his first film, ‘So This is College,’ in 1929, proving himself keen to learn as he questioned many on set, looking to gain an insight into everything from sound to set design to camera work.
The film caught the attention of Hollywood, and Montgomery was given role after role while his popularity increased steadily. At first, he appeared mainly in comedies, but he soon proved that he could also hold his own in more dramatic productions when he starred as a prisoner in ‘The Big House’ in 1930.
Popular actress Norma Shearer helped to catapult Montgomery to even more stardom by choosing him to star opposite her in ‘The Divorcee,’ ‘Strangers May Kiss,’ and ‘Private Lives’ from 1930 - 1931. In 1935, the industry recognised his great status and influence by nominating him to be President of the Screen Actors Guild, a highly prestigious position!
From here, his talent only continued to grow, as he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as a terrifying murderer in the 1937 ‘Night Must Fall.’
Montgomery’s talents were not limited to the screen, however, as he contributed bravely to the war effort during World War II. He drove ambulances in France up until the Dunkirk evacuation, before enlisting in the Navy when the United States entered the war on the 8th of December 1941, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
In 1945, Montgomery returned to Hollywood, this time trying his hand at directing, making the film noir ‘Lady in the Lake’, adapted from Raymond Chandler’s famous detective novel, for MGM. He also used his status to branch out into presenting, hosting the Academy Awards in 1948 and starting a tv series called ‘Robert Montgomery Presents,’ which would go on to win an Emmy.
To this day, he remains an iconic figure of the silver screen, and is commemorated with not one, but two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for films at 6440 Hollywood Boulevard, and another for TV at 1631 Vine Street.
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Our next famous Montgomery for today is a mainstay of children’s literature and has played a major part in countless childhoods across the globe.
Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on the 30th of November 1874 on Prince Edward Island in Canada and sadly experienced tragedy at an early age. After her mother died when she was just 2 years old, she was sent to live with her grandparents in the rural town of Cavendish. The striking landscapes would go on to become one of the main inspirations for her writing.
Even as a child, Montgomery showed a great passion for learning, reading, and writing, often hiding away to create little poems and stories. She was often very lonely, which prompted her to invent imaginary friends and worlds, no doubt honing her creative skills.
She determinedly pursued education, earning a teaching degree from Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, and later even attending Dalhousie University, an unusual achievement for a woman at the time.
While she enjoyed teaching and the financial independence it gave her, writing was still her true calling. She published hundreds of poems and short stories in magazines before releasing a book that would come to define her career and secure her fame.
In 1908, Montgomery published ‘Anne of Green Gables,’ the story of an imaginative, red-haired orphan. Its success was immediate as it captured the hearts of readers across the world. This allowed Montgomery to focus more completely on her writing, and she went on to publish 8 more ‘Anne’ novels, along with numerous other books, including a similar trilogy about an orphan girl named Emily.
Montgomery’s talent was recognised in prestigious circles, particularly in 1923 when she became the first Canadian woman inducted into the British Royal Society of Arts. She continued to write up until her death and is still beloved today. Her legacy continues to endure as thousands of tourists make the journey to Prince Edward Island each year to see the landscapes that inspired their favourite book.
Bernard Law Montgomery
Our final famous face for today is one of Britain’s most prominent military figures of the 20th century. Born on the 17th of November 1887, Bernard Law Montgomery’s complex personality can be summed up by this quote from none other than Winston Churchill: ‘in defeat, unbeatable, in victory, unbearable.’
After attending the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, Montgomery was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1908, where he quickly developed a reputation for his determination and confidence. Early in World War I, he experienced an injury that looked likely to halt his career, if not his life, when he was shot through the lung by a sniper. The wound was so severe that a grave was prepared for him, but with characteristic tenacity, he went on to make a full recovery.
He spent the remainder of the war as a staff officer, rising steadily through the ranks and securing his status as a demanding but highly effective leader.
While the First World War set the stage for Montgomery, his defining successes came during World War II. In 1942, he was made commander of the British 8th Army in North Africa. Morale was low, but he managed to revitalise the men with determined planning and preparation.
He led his troops to victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein, marking a turning point in the campaign. Following this, he went on to play a key role in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, and later in the D-Day landings in Normandy. After the war, he served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff and then Deputy Supreme Commander of NATO in Europe, before retiring in 1958. He remained a public figure, publishing a memoir, and often making comments on military news.
While he was a complex character, he was undeniably a brilliant leader who helped to shape the course of World War II and secured his place in history.
We hope you have enjoyed meeting a few of Clan Montgomery’s most accomplished members! To learn more about this fascinating family, head to our Clan Montgomery page for an overview of their long and storied past.
Image Sources:
Robert Montgomery by NBC Television - eBayfrontback, Public Domain
Lucy Maud Montgomery by Unknown author, Public Domain
Bernard Law Montgomery by possibly Edward George William Malindine, this photograph TR 1036 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums., Public Domain
