Bertha Vyver

Bertha Vyver (11 June 1854 – 20 November 1941) was a caretaker for Scottish poet Charles Mackay and the companion of Marie Corelli.

[2] In actuality, the father, known in England as Peter Francis Adrian Vander Vyver was Dutch and his wife, Pauline Maria Josephine Francisca was French.

[1][6][7] The father was an unsuccessful businessman, declaring bankruptcy several times, and made his living from selling fake hereditary titles.

[9] The Countess established their home at 7 Cleveland Terrace, living a few blocks from Minnie Mackay, who would become a lifelong friend and companion to Bertha.

The household finances were difficult, as Mackay's pension of £100 per year and income Vyver received were the sole sources of earnings.

[16] In the meantime, Minnie decided that using her father's name had not helped her earn a living from her writing and she invented a new identity, the Venetian writer, Marie Corelli.

[24][25] In 1901, they moved into a house in Stratford-upon-Avon called Mason Croft on Church Street, which is currently owned by the Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham.

In loneliness of soul, Miss Vyver mourns the loss of one who was nearer and tenderer to her than a sister.... Over the fireplace in the fine, old spacious lounge at Mason Croft, the initials M. C. and B. V. were carven into one symbol.