3 May 1918: Katherine Mansfield and John Middleton Murry marry

Katherine Mansfield and John Middleton Murry helped inspire the characters of Gudrun and Gerald in D.H. Lawrence’s Women in Love, which tells the story of the rocky romantic relationships between two couples, Gudrun and Gerald, and Rupert Birkin and Ursula Brangwen, whom Lawrence modeled on himself and his wife, Frieda. [1]

Katherine Mansfield and John Middleton Murry shared a relationship that was as complex and tumultuous as it was passionate and intellectually stimulating. They were both prominent figures in the literary world of the early 20th century, and their connection influenced each other’s work significantly.

Their relationship began in 1911 when New Zealand-born Mansfield, already an established writer and living in England, met Murry, who was a literary critic and editor. At this time Mansfield was married to her first husband, George Bowden. Murry was struck by Mansfield’s talent and unique perspective on life, while Mansfield found in Murry a kindred spirit who understood and appreciated her writing like few others.

The couple quickly formed a deep bond, sharing a passion for literature and intellectual pursuits. However, their relationship was far from smooth sailing and was marked by affairs, separations, and reconciliations. Late in 1917, at the age of 29, Mansfield was diagnosed with tuberculosis. By April 1918 Mansfield’s divorce from Bowden had been finalised, and she and Murry married on 3 May, only to part again two weeks later.

Their marriage was marked by intense emotional highs and lows, with periods of deep affection followed by bitter arguments and misunderstandings. Both were fiercely independent and struggled with jealousy and insecurity in their relationship. Despite the challenges they faced, Mansfield and Murry’s relationship had a significant impact on their creative output. They often collaborated on literary projects, providing feedback and support to each other’s work. Mansfield’s writing was deeply influenced by Murry’s ideas and critiques, while Murry’s own literary career was bolstered by Mansfield’s guidance and encouragement.

Mansfield’s life was cut short by tuberculosis, and she passed away in 1923 at the age of 34. Her death devastated Murry, who mourned her deeply and struggled to come to terms with the loss. In the years following Mansfield’s death, Murry worked tirelessly to preserve her legacy, editing and publishing her unfinished works and letters.