MILES, BEATRICE (1902-1973), Bohemian rebel, was born on 17 September 1902 at Ashfield, Sydney, third surviving of the five children of William John Miles, Sydney-born public accountant, and his wife Maria Louisa, née Binnington, a Queenslander. Residing at St Ives, she was educated at Abbotsleigh. An inheritance from her paternal grandmother allowed her to escape the violent scenes that characterized her relationship with her father. She enrolled in arts at the University of Sydney, but discontinued her studies after a year 'because they did not teach enough Australian stuff'. Soon after, she contracted encephalitis. Conflicts with her father continued, over her life-style and sexual 'freedom'. In 1923 he had her committed to the Hospital for the Insane, Gladesville, where she remained until publicity in Smith's Weekly led to her release in 1925.

Thereafter, Miles became notable for her outrageous, disruptive conduct in public places, and her outspoken criticism of ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography