David Niven

Birth Name: James David Graham Niven

Date of Birth: 1 March, 1910

Place of Birth: St George Hanover Square, London, England, U.K.

Date of Death: 29 July, 1983

Place of Death: Château-d’Œx, Switzerland

Ethnicity: English, Scottish, French

David Niven was an English actor and novelist. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Separate Tables (1958).

David was the son of Henrietta/Henriette Julia (Degacher) and William Edward Graham Niven. His sister was sculptor Grizel Niven. His father was killed in WWI, serving with the Berkshire Yeomanry in Gallipoli. His mother was born in Brecon, Brecknockshire, Wales.

He was married to Primula “Primmie” Susan Rollo, until her death, and then to Swedish actress and model Hjördis Genberg, until his death. He had two children, including film producer, actor, and script writer David Niven, Jr., with Primula; and two children, who were adopted, with Hjördis.

David’s paternal grandfather was William Niven (the son of David Graham Niven and Mary Baylis). William was born in Pershore, Worcestershire, England. David’s great-grandfather David was born in St Martin’s, Perthshire, Scotland, the son of James Graeme Niven.

David’s paternal grandmother was named Helen Boustead (the daughter of Edward Boustead and Charlotte). Helen was born in Wandsworth, London, England.

David’s maternal grandfathe was William Henry Degacher (the son of Walter Henry Hitchcock/Degacher and Mathilde Degacher). William was born in France. Walter was the son of Richard Hitchcock and Mary James. Mathilde was the daughter of Pierre Degacher and Elizabeth Dael.

David’s maternal grandmother was Julia Caroline Webber Smith (the daughter of Maj-Gen James Webber Smith and Margaret Jeanette Bell). Julia was born in Belfast, County Down, Ireland. James was born in Eltham, Kent, England, the son of Lt-General James Webber Smith and Eleanor Elizabeth Simeon.

Sources: Genealogies of David Niven – http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com