Enid Lorimer

May Enid Bosworth Nunn OAM (27 November 188715 July 1982), known professionally as Enid Lorimer and also as a publisher of children's literature under pen name of Ellen Bosworth, was a British-born Australian film, stage actress and director, radio and television actress, writer, teacher and theosophist. She was married to Count Wentworth Zerffi. She attended Herbert Beerbohm Trees theatre in London and trained as a Shakespearean actress, she was a contemporary of Dame Sybil Thorndike and Lilian Braithwaite. Miss Lorimer was also involved in silent film production in Britain during World War 1, working with the likes of Dame Ellen Terry.
Early life.
Lorimer was born on 27 November 1887, in London, United Kingdom. Her father was Harold Marcus Nunn and her mother was Helen Louise Fowler ("née" Bosworth).
Her early education was supervised by a governess. She later attended a boarding school in Folkestone, Kent, and a finishing school in Switzerland.
Career.
Lorimer's career as an actress lasted for some 70 years. She first took stage drama in the United Kingdom, before leaving for Sydney, Australia in November 1923 to serve as Art Director at the Star Amphitheatre, Balmoral. She starred in numerous Australian television programmes, such as "Motel", "Spyforce", "Homicide", "Division 4" and "Cop Shop", as well as many theatrical stage plays, and in 1966 she appeared as a narrator in fourteen episodes of the BBC children's television programme "Jackanory". Up until her 85th birthday in 1973, she was very active within the entertainment circle and would not entertain the prospect of retirement, despite self-admitted signs of "phasing out". Her final film appearance was in "The Odd Angry Shot". In her later years, she gradually declined from acting and instead started writing children's books, such as the series "Shelley" (which was based on her granddaughter), under the pseudonym of Ellen Bosworth. Many of her books were best-sellers in Australia. During her lifetime, Lorimer also worked as a teacher and a theosophist.
Recognition.
Lorimer was awarded the Chips Rafferty Memorial Award in 1981 and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service towards the performing arts on 14 June 1982.
Enid Lorimer Circuit, in the Canberra suburb of Chisholm, is named in her honour.
Death.
Lorimer died on 15 July 1982 at a private hospital in Wahroonga, New South Wales. A private funeral was held for her; only six people attended.