AustLit

Beatrice Miles was a renowned Sydney bohemian. Educated at Abbotsleigh she began an arts degree at The University of Sydney but only completed one year. The years of her youth were marked by violent conflicts with her father over her lifestyle choices, particularly her free approach to sexual relationships. In 1923 her father had her committed to the Hospital for the Insane at Gladesville where she remained for two years.

After her release, Miles's outspoken and disruptive behaviour contantly brought her to the attention of public authorities. She often traveled on Sydney's public transport system reciting Shakespeare in lieu of paying her fare. Miles regularly visited the Public Library of New South Wales until she was banned in the late 1950s.

Miles spent the years from 1964 until her death in 1973 in the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged at Randwick. She died from cancer.

A musical comedy reflecting Miles's life, Better Known as Bee, was performed by Q Theatre Company in 1984 and Kate Grenville's Lilian's Story is loosely based on Miles.

(Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 10, 1986)