Editing E. C. R. Lorac (section)

===Childhood===
[[File:E. C. R. Lorac with family in 1890s.png|thumb|left|upright|Harry and Beatrice Rivett in the 1890s with their daughters: Gladys upper left, Maud upper right, Carol seated]]
The youngest daughter of Harry (1861–1900) and Beatrice Rivett (née Foot; 1868–1943), Edith was born in [[Hendon]], [[Middlesex]], (now London) on 6 May 1894. She had two sisters, Gladys and Maud. In 1898 the family emigrated to Australia, for warm weather to treat Harry Rivett's tuberculosis. This was unsuccessful, and in 1900 the family returned, travelling on the SS ''Illawarra''. Harry Rivett died on the voyage, and was buried at sea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lahs.archaeologyuk.org/Contrebis/Vol%2033%20Howson%20and%20Howson.pdf|title=Howson, George, and Howson, Maud, "From Australia to England in 1900 - By Sailing Ship ''Illawarra''", ''Contrebis'', 33 (2010-2011): 67-80|access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref>

When the family reached London, they were literally penniless but were received into the welcoming, if crowded, household of Beatrice Rivett's father, Edward Foot, and the widow found employment as an assistant rate collector. Edith attended [[South Hampstead High School]], and the [[Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design|Central School of Arts and Crafts]] in London and she continued as a craft practitioner throughout her life; her work included embroidery and calligraphy that has been on display at Westminster Abbey.<ref>[http://www.xs4all.nl/~embden11/Engels/lorac.htm Crime & Mystery Fiction]</ref>