Drusilla Beyfus
Drusilla Beyfus | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 March 1927 Hampstead, London, England |
| Died | 26 February 2026 (aged 98) London, England |
| Occupation | Etiquette writer |
| Employers | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Alexandra Shulman Nicola Shulman Jason Shulman |
| Parents |
|
Drusilla Norman Beyfus (later Shulman; 1 March 1927 – 26 February 2026) was an English journalist and etiquette writer who was best known for her books on modern modes and manners.[2]
Background
Beyfus was born in Hampstead, London, England on 1 March 1927.[3] She was educated at a private boarding school then attended finishing school as a young woman.[4]
Beyfus met the journalist, war historian and theatre critic Milton Shulman in 1951. After a long courtship, interrupted by her sojourn in America as an author and freelance writer, they married at Caxton Hall in Westminster, London, on 6 June 1956. They had three children, who grew up in Belgravia in Greater London:[5][6][2]
- Alexandra Shulman (born 1957), a journalist and the editor of British Vogue.[6]
- Nicola Shulman (born 1960), a model, biographer and the wife of Constantine Phipps, 5th Marquess of Normanby.[7][8]
- Jason Shulman (born 1963), a photographer, sculptor and magazine art director.[9]
Beyfus was widowed in 2004.[10] She died at home in London, on 26 February 2026, at the age of 98, 3 days before her 99th birthday.[11][12]
Career
After leaving finishing school, Beyfus began her writing career writing women's columns at the Reading Mercury and the Berkshire Chronicle.[4] As a young journalist, 19 year old Beyfus was sent to Berlin in 1948 by the Daily Express to cover the Berlin blockade.[2][13] In the 1960s, she contributed a chapter to Len Deighton's London Dossier, a guide book to modern London.[14] She was later a features editor at Vogue.[15]
As an etiquette writer,[16] Beyfus contributed to over 60 different magazines and published books on the topics of modes and manners.[5] Her books were issued and reissued in multiple editions from 1956 to 1996, showing how what was considered good manners and proper behavior changed over the decades and generaions. [2]
Beyfus was also once a senior tutor at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design.[15][17]
Publications (selected)
- 1968: The English Marriage: what it is like to be married today
- 1969: Lady Behave: a guide to modern manners for the 1970s (with Anne Edwards)
- 1985: The Bride's Book
- 1992: Courtship – The Done Thing: modern manners in miniature
- 1992: Modern Manners: the essential guide to living in the '90s
- 1992: Parties – The Done Thing: modern manners in miniature
- 1993: Business: The Done Thing
- 1993: Sex: The Done Thing
- 1994: Modern Manners: the complete guide to contemporary etiquette
- 2015: Vogue on Hubert de Givenchy
References
- ^ "Beyfus, Drusilla Norman, writer, editor, broadcaster; Tutor, Central St Martin's College of Art, 1989–2007". Who's Who. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u7471.
- ^ a b c d Horwell, Veronica (3 March 2026). "Drusilla Beyfus obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ Rubinstein, W.; Jolles, Michael A. (27 January 2011). The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History. Springer. p. 909. ISBN 9780230304666. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ a b "The home front". The Telegraph Magazine. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ a b Millard, Rosie (27 July 1997). "Media families; 24. The Shulmans". The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ a b Day, Elizabeth (31 March 2012). "Never out of Vogue: Alexandra Shulman". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "Nicola Shulman is a modern marchioness among the Tudors". The Standard. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "A Rage for Rock Gardening by Nicola Shulman". Baillie Gifford Prize. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ Honderich, John (9 September 2006). "No pain, no gain ..." The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ Shorter, Eric (25 May 2004). "Milton Shulman". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ Drusilla Beyfus obituary: doyenne of English manners The Times
- ^ "Drusilla Norman Shulman (née Beyfus)". The Times. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "The Londoner: Swipe right for a Brexit romance". The Standard. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "What Was There For Kids To Actually Do In 1960s London?". Londonist. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ a b "BA Fashion Show 2014". Central Saint Martins. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "What to do if the Queen drops by". The Guardian. 3 June 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ "Drusilla Beyfus". Hardie Grant Publishing. Retrieved 22 April 2025.