Margaret Ann Neve | |
Margaret Ann Neve at the age of 110. | |
Birth: | 18 May 1792 St. Peter Port, Guernsey, UK |
Death: | 4 April 1903 St. Peter Port, Guernsey, UK |
Age: | 110 years, 321 days |
Country: | GGY, UK |
Validated |
Margaret Ann Neve (née Harvey) (18 May 1792 – 4 April 1903) was the first verified female supercentenarian and the second overall, after Geert Adriaans Boomgaard. Because her case validation predates that of Boomgaard, Margaret Ann Neve was the first validated supercentenarian in "real time". Her case was validated in 1898 by Thomas Emley Young, President of the Institute of Actuaries, London, at age 106. She reached age 110 in 1902, thus becoming the first validated supercentenarian in real time. She became the oldest verified person ever, living to the age of 110 years, 321 days. She also was one of the few people to live in the 18th, 19th, and 20th century. She remained the oldest verified person ever for 22 years.
Early life
Born Marguerite Anne Harvey on 18 May 1792, she was baptised 29 May 1792. In later life she Anglicized her name to Margaret Ann.
As a child, Neve survived a fall down the stairs, which left her concussed for three days. Neve could remember the turmoil that the French Revolution brought to Guernsey. In 1807, Neve set sail for Weymouth with her father, but a storm caused the ship to land at Chesil Beach. She was educated in Bristol, England, gaining an interest in literature and poetry. Neve met with Charles François Dumouriez, a general of the French Revolutionary Wars, who dubbed her la spirituelle. She married John Neve in St. Peter Port, Guernsey on 18 January 1823 and took up residence in England, but returned to Guernsey in 1849 after he committed suicide.
Later life
Neve travelled abroad to various countries with her sister, who died aged 98. Their last trip was in 1872, when they visited Krakow (then in Austria-Hungary, now in Poland). Her mother lived to the age of 99. She was the oldest living person before her death at age 110 years, 321 days. Margaret died peacefully on 4 April 1903. She was one of the few people to have lived during the 18th century, 19th century, and the 20th century.
References
- Gerontology Research Group
- Westminster Budget, July 26, 1895
- Boston Sunday Post, June 13, 1897
- Westminster Budget, December 8, 1899
- Traverse City Morning Record, January 21, 1900
- London Monitor And New Era, September 7, 1900
- Medicine Hat News, January 24, 1901
- Hackney Express And Shoreditch Observer, May 25, 1901
- Black And White, November 16, 1901
- Racine Daily Journal, June 7, 1902
- Reno Evening Gazette, April 4, 1903