Monica Brewster
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10 February 1886
Torchy Atkinson (cousin)
Harry Atkinson (cousin)
Monica Brewster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Monica Romaine Govett 10 February 1886 New Plymouth, New Zealand |
| Died | 13 December 1973 (aged 87) New Plymouth, New Zealand |
| Known for | Founding benefactor of Govett-Brewster Art Gallery |
| Relatives | Harry Atkinson (grandfather) Torchy Atkinson (cousin) Harry Atkinson (cousin) |
Monica Romaine Brewster (née Govett; 10 February 1886 – 13 December 1973) was a New Zealand arts patron and women's rights advocate. She is best known as the founding benefactor of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.[1]
Born on 10 February 1886 in New Plymouth, New Zealand, she was the youngest of four daughters. Her father was Clement Govett, barrister and founder of the Govett-Quilliam law firm. Her paternal grandfather was Henry Govett, vicar of St Mary's Church and first archdeacon of Taranaki. Her mother was Frances Elizabeth Atkinson. Brewster's maternal grandfather was Harry Atkinson, Premier of New Zealand for five terms during 1876 to 1891.[1]
She attended Wanganui Girls' College, and Chetwode School in New Plymouth. She married Rex Carrington Brewster at Wanganui on 21 September 1920.[1][2] A doctor, he had served as a medical officer with the New Zealand Medical Corps in Palestine during World War I, and was awarded the Military Cross in February 1918.[3][4] His grandfather was the surveyor Octavius Carrington, who was the brother of Frederic Carrington, regarded as the "father of New Plymouth".[5][6]
