London 1904–1914 F. Matthias Alexander

early advertising material alexander s services in london

alexander arrived london in june 1904, , acquired fine wardrobe, manservant, , smart address @ army & navy mansions in victoria street. later said in days, couldn t on here [london] unless appeared right sort. armed letters of recommendation dr. mckay , others australian doctors, gained important supporters in london medical community. key contact , mentor ent surgeon r.h. scanes spicer, took lessons , promoted alexander s method , referred him pupils. given alexander s love of theatre, particularly delighted when spicer asked him see actress lily brayton, had lost voice. alexander s successful treatment led introductions other theatrical luminaries including brayton s husband oscar asche, henry irving, herbert beerbohm tree , george alexander. first 3 supportive, having taken lesson george alexander accused teacher of practising extortion when given bill. nevertheless, after 2 years, alexander s practice booming, , rate of 4 guineas hour, alexander doing financially. remitted of earnings australia support mothers , sisters, , repay debts, able live well. developed taste finer things in life, including food, wine , cigars, , regular patron of london s best restaurants. rode horse daily, fox-hunted periodically, , pursued lifelong interest in horse racing.

alexander produced series of pamphlets in order explain discoveries respiration , voice , describe successful cases. alexander not or clear writer, these works show development of alexander s theories , first mentions in print of such important concepts in alexander technique conscious control , antagonistic action , whispered ah , unreliability of self-perceptions , sensations, inhibition , means whereby . edith young travelled england after, arriving in september 1904. letters ailing husband robert suggest encouraged follow alexander, , urged alexander take care of , faithful her. alexander had hoped edith him teaching, interested in stage career, , scornful of work. motivated concerns respectability , perhaps might reveal past, alexander installed @ distance in suburb of streatham. michael bloch, alexander s biographer, speculates years may have been 1 person before whom never had pretend, whom able reminisce old life , friends in australia, , offered him intimate comforts. throughout life, alexander private man enjoyed social company, not party-goer , did not join clubs or societies. instead of close friendships, tended have disciples , supporters. in 1909, happened throughout life, alexander fell out friend , supporter, in case dr. spicer. in series of papers, spicer, believed alexander lacked medical knowledge, claimed corrections of posture , respiration medical profession rather untrained amateurs , ignorant quacks . alexander responded pamphlets accusing spicer of plagiarism , distortion. consequence of dispute, alexander produced long-contemplated book, appeared in 3 parts: man s supreme inheritance (october 1910), addenda (march 1911), , conscious control (october 1912). these combined 1 volume in 1918.

in 1911 alexander s mother , sister amy arrived visit , moved rooms @ army & navy mansions in westminster, while alexander lived , practiced @ nearby 16 ashley place. amy began teach of alexander s female pupils, , before end of 1911 appears have been decided visitors remain permanently, , other members of alexander family come join them. on next few years, 4 of alexander s siblings moved london. father , other brothers did not make move. estranged husband, betsy alexander claimed widow. alexander s brother a.r. joined growing practice, included pupils such politician reginald mckenna, businessman waldorf astor, , edith, viscountess castlereagh. alexander engaged ethel webb, former pupil, teacher, first outside family. connected alexander 2 other women important work, irene tasker , margaret naumburg. latter, american, offered him fulfill long held desire: introduce approach in united states. on 10 august 1914, before month departure, married edith young @ registry office wedding. husband, robert had died in september 1910, , alexander had supported since time. couple were, however, spend of years followed apart.