Lionel Logue (1880-1953) was born in College Town Adelaide, eldest of 4 children of South Australian parents clerk George Logue and his wife Lavinia. Logue attended Prince Alfred College in 1889-96, then studied elocution with Edward Reeves to lose his Australian accent, and to start a career in dramatic arts under Reeves’ tuition. In 1902 he became Reeves's assistant-teacher and studied at the Elder Conservatorium of Music ![]()
As a Christian Scientist, Logue wanted to tour the world. In 1911 the couple set off on an international tour to learn more about different methods of public speaking. But it was seeing shell-shocked, speech-impaired returned WW1 soldiers that steered Logue towards the field of speech therapy. Using humour, patience and sympathy, he taught them exercises for the lungs and diaphragm, and to breathe deeply enough to complete a sentence fluently.
Whilst on a family holiday in UK, Logue began teaching elocution at London schools with much success, leading to the creation of his speech therapy practice at 146 Harley St, where he practiced for the next 26 years. From 1924 on, Logue settled in London and practised in Harley St until retiring in 1952; the fees paid by his wealthy clients enabled him to accept poorer patients without charge. Logue was a founder 1935 of the British Society of Speech Therapists and a founding fellow of the College of Speech Therapists. He retained his love of music, theatre and gardening.
In 1926 Prince Albert Duke of York/later King George VI (1895–1952) consulted Logue about his severe stammer. The therapist diagnosed tension-induced muscle spasms between the larynx and thoracic diaphragm; and he recommended an hour per day of verbal rigorous exercises for the Duke to perform, helping him rehearse for his major speeches. In restoring the Prince’s confidence by relaxing the tension that caused muscle spasms, Logue helped The Prince to reduce his stammer so well that he could open Australia’s Old Parliament House Canberra in 1927.
At Westminster Abbey in May 1937, wearing his Royal Victorian Order medal, Logue sat closely to the Prince in the coronation ceremony. And before the King's radio broadcast that evening, Logue quietly offered more confidence.
![]()
King George VI made his speech to the nation,
Sep 1939
Historic UK
Why did Logue put his practice aside to take a contract job with an engineering company in Western Australia? A better income? At St George's Anglican Cathedral Perth in 1907 he married Myrtle Gruenert and settled there. With his clear powerful voice, Logue taught elocution, public speaking and acting, reciting Shakespeare and Dickens at concerts, staging plays and creating a public-speaking club. Logue taught at the Young Men's Christian Association, at Scotch College and later at Perth Tech.
As a Christian Scientist, Logue wanted to tour the world. In 1911 the couple set off on an international tour to learn more about different methods of public speaking. But it was seeing shell-shocked, speech-impaired returned WW1 soldiers that steered Logue towards the field of speech therapy. Using humour, patience and sympathy, he taught them exercises for the lungs and diaphragm, and to breathe deeply enough to complete a sentence fluently.
Whilst on a family holiday in UK, Logue began teaching elocution at London schools with much success, leading to the creation of his speech therapy practice at 146 Harley St, where he practiced for the next 26 years. From 1924 on, Logue settled in London and practised in Harley St until retiring in 1952; the fees paid by his wealthy clients enabled him to accept poorer patients without charge. Logue was a founder 1935 of the British Society of Speech Therapists and a founding fellow of the College of Speech Therapists. He retained his love of music, theatre and gardening.
In 1926 Prince Albert Duke of York/later King George VI (1895–1952) consulted Logue about his severe stammer. The therapist diagnosed tension-induced muscle spasms between the larynx and thoracic diaphragm; and he recommended an hour per day of verbal rigorous exercises for the Duke to perform, helping him rehearse for his major speeches. In restoring the Prince’s confidence by relaxing the tension that caused muscle spasms, Logue helped The Prince to reduce his stammer so well that he could open Australia’s Old Parliament House Canberra in 1927.
At Westminster Abbey in May 1937, wearing his Royal Victorian Order medal, Logue sat closely to the Prince in the coronation ceremony. And before the King's radio broadcast that evening, Logue quietly offered more confidence.
George VI (left)'s letter to speech therapist Lionel Logue (right), 1937
Just Collecting
The measured pace which he had afforded the King's diction proved valuable in His Majesty's wartime broadcasts. In fact Fleet St called Logue the Therapist who Saved the King; even sillier, some reporters questioned whether the British monarchy would have survived the 1936 Abdication Crisis without the intervention of the ex-pat Australia. They even speculated whether the famed spirit of the 1940-1 Blitz would have been so resolute, had King George VI not made his calming radio broadcasts to a nation at war.
Elevated with honours in 1944, Logue was with the King for the VE-Day broadcast in May 1945. Post-war the ex-Australian’s speech therapy practice regained its popularity, as did Logue’s friendship with the Duke.
Survived by his 3 sons, the ex-Australian died in April 1953 in London and was cremated there. At Logue's funeral, representatives of Queen Elizabeth II were in attendance.
![]()
A book came out in 2010 called The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy, written by Peter Logue and Mark Conrad. I had not heard of the book so this review is from Petrona. The book covered a longer period of time than the film, being a biography of Logue from birth to death. The book was most successful in its portrait of the relationship between the therapist and the Prince, which conveyed the touching trust between them. Yet the account is not exactly compelling, partially because of the silly sub-title. Later the potted story of WW2, told via the speeches the king gave during the war, was also of interest for readers who lacked this history.
Logue’s relationship with the King and his method for treating his stammer also became the subject of a recommended film, The King’s Speech (2010) with Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue in a believable remake of life.
Recently historians learnt of a special artefact, a moving letter from King George to Logue which was rediscovered after 83 years. In case modern readers and film-watchers didn’t quite the story, the King’s hand written letter thanked Logue for helping him before his 1937 coronation speech. The note verified the therapist’s years of expert supervision and unfailing patience, important given the newly crowned monarch’s concerns prior to the speech.
Elevated with honours in 1944, Logue was with the King for the VE-Day broadcast in May 1945. Post-war the ex-Australian’s speech therapy practice regained its popularity, as did Logue’s friendship with the Duke.
Survived by his 3 sons, the ex-Australian died in April 1953 in London and was cremated there. At Logue's funeral, representatives of Queen Elizabeth II were in attendance.
The King's Speech
book published by Sterling, 2010
A book came out in 2010 called The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy, written by Peter Logue and Mark Conrad. I had not heard of the book so this review is from Petrona. The book covered a longer period of time than the film, being a biography of Logue from birth to death. The book was most successful in its portrait of the relationship between the therapist and the Prince, which conveyed the touching trust between them. Yet the account is not exactly compelling, partially because of the silly sub-title. Later the potted story of WW2, told via the speeches the king gave during the war, was also of interest for readers who lacked this history.
Logue’s relationship with the King and his method for treating his stammer also became the subject of a recommended film, The King’s Speech (2010) with Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue in a believable remake of life.
Recently historians learnt of a special artefact, a moving letter from King George to Logue which was rediscovered after 83 years. In case modern readers and film-watchers didn’t quite the story, the King’s hand written letter thanked Logue for helping him before his 1937 coronation speech. The note verified the therapist’s years of expert supervision and unfailing patience, important given the newly crowned monarch’s concerns prior to the speech.