Lionel Logue, a practitioner of elocution and speech therapy, earned the Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1944 for his specialized work in diction. Born in Adelaide in 1880, he transitioned from an amateur stage actor in Australia to a therapist in London, ultimately serving the British monarchy by treating King George VI for his persistent stammer.
Early Development and Training
Logue attended Prince Alfred College from 1889 to 1926. Influenced by the rhythm of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poetry, he pursued elocution training under Edward Reeves. By 1902, he acted as a secretary and assistant teacher while simultaneously studying music at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium. Following the death of his father in November 1902, Logue established his own elocution practice before relocating to Western Australia for engineering work.
Professional Expansion
His career in Perth involved teaching public speaking and founding a club for speakers. He collaborated with various institutions, including YMCA Perth and Scotch College. Following a global tour in 1911 to study speech techniques, Logue focused on treating veterans with impaired speech. He moved to England in 1924 and opened a practice at 146 Harley Street in 1926. In 1944, he became a founding fellow of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
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The Duke of York, later King George VI, engaged Logue in 1926 after an introduction by Lord Stamfordham. Logue diagnosed a coordination issue between the Duke’s larynx and thoracic diaphragm. Through daily vocal exercises and emphasis on patience, he enabled the King to manage his speech impediment, allowing for public addresses such as the opening of Old Parliament House in 1927. The association between the two continued until the King's death in 1952.
Personal Life and Legacy
Logue married Myrtle Gruenert in 1907, and the couple had three sons: Valentine, Laurie, and Anthony. A Freemason since 1908, Logue served as Worshipful Master in 1919. He resided in a villa named Beechgrove in Sydenham for fifteen years starting in 1932. After Myrtle’s death in 1945, Logue remained in London until his own death in 1953. His professional life and his impact on the King were subsequently documented in various media, including books and film.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 February 1880, Adelaide
- Died: 12 April 1953, London
- Education: Prince Alfred College, University of Adelaide
- Award: Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (1944)
- Marriage: Myrtle Gruenert, 20 March 1907
- Primary Practice Location: 146 Harley Street, London
- Religious Affiliation: Christian Science
- Profession: Speech and language therapist
Questions readers ask
What specific technique did Logue use for the King?
He prescribed daily vocal exercises to improve the coordination between the larynx and the thoracic diaphragm.
Was Logue a medically trained doctor?
No, he was a self-taught speech therapist who was initially viewed as a quack by the medical establishment.
What was Logue’s connection to Freemasonry?
He was initiated in 1908 and served as Worshipful Master of St. George's Lodge in 1919.
Achievements
- Fields: diction
