Trekkie Parsons facts for kids

Trekkie Ritchie Parsons (born Marjorie Tulip Ritchie; 15 June 1902 – 24 July 1995) was a talented English artist. She was also a lithographer, which means she created art using a special printing method. Trekkie Parsons is known for her close friendship with the famous writer Leonard Woolf, after his wife Virginia passed away.

About Trekkie Parsons

Her Early Life and Education

Trekkie Ritchie Parsons was born Marjorie Tulip Ritchie in 1902. Her birthplace was Durban, in a place called Natal, South Africa. She later moved to London, England, to study art.

Trekkie attended the Slade School of Fine Art in London. This is a very famous art school. Her teachers there included Philip Steer and Henry Tonks.

Her parents were Allan McGregor Ritchie and Sarah Maria Tulip. Her father was an architect. Trekkie also had a sister named Alice Ritchie. Alice wrote children's books, and Trekkie helped by drawing pictures for them.

Her Life and Work

In 1926, Trekkie married Peter Brooker, who was also an art student. This marriage was short. In 1934, she married Ian Parsons. He worked as an editor at a publishing company called Chatto & Windus.

During World War II, Trekkie helped with the war effort. She worked for the Fire Service. She also spent some time as a Land Girl, helping with farming. Later, she worked for Intelligence.

As an artist, Trekkie was known professionally as T. Ritchie. She wrote and illustrated a book of rhymes called Bells across the Sand. This book was printed using the lithography method. She also drew pictures for other books, like The Three Rings by Barbara Baker. She designed the cover for the British edition of Johnny Tremain, a book that won an important award. Her style of lithography was similar to that of another artist, Barnett Freedman.

A Special Friendship

Trekkie's sister Alice introduced her to Leonard and Virginia Woolf. The Woolfs were important figures in the Bloomsbury Group, a group of famous writers and artists.

After Virginia Woolf died in 1941, Leonard Woolf visited Trekkie's house. He and Trekkie became very close friends. Their friendship lasted until Leonard's death in 1969. Trekkie often spent time with Leonard during the week. On weekends, she would be with her husband.

Trekkie was a companion to Leonard on many trips. They traveled to places like France, Greece, Israel, and Ceylon. They wrote many letters to each other when they were apart. These letters were later published in a book called Love Letters: Leonard Woolf and Trekkie Ritchie Parsons.

Trekkie Parsons passed away in 1995 in Lewes, England. She was 93 years old.