Profile Text
Birth Name: David Ivor Davies
Date of Birth: 15 January, 1893
Place of Birth: Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales
Date of Death: 6 March, 1951
Place of Death: London, England, U.K.
Ethnicity: Welsh
Ivor Novello was a Welsh actor, dramatist, singer, and composer. He was one of the most famous British entertainers of the early 1900s. He was known for his WWI song, “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” his musical comedy Theodore & Co , and his films The Lodger , Downhill (1927), and Autumn Crocus .
Ivor was the son of Clara Novello Davies, a prominent singing teacher, singer, composer, and choral conductor, and David Davies, a rent collector. His mother was also known as Pencerddes Morgannwg. She was named after British soprano Clara Novello, whose surname came from her Italian ancestry. Ivor was educated in Cardiff, and Gloucester. He was the partner of actor Robert Andrews, until his death.
Ivor’s maternal grandfather was named Jacob Davies. Jacob was a miner, and leader of a church choir.
Ivor’s maternal grandmother was named Margaret Evans (the daughter of William Evans). William was the son of The Rev. William Evan and Margaret Cadwgan.
Source: Genealogy of Ivor Novello (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com