Katherine Mansfield was born Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp on October 14, 1888, in Wellington, New Zealand to Harold and Annie Beauchamp. Harold began his professional life as a clerk and eventually became a partner at Bannatyne and Co., an importing firm. Later, he went on to great success as Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand and was knighted for his services to the community. Annie was a devoted wife and socialite.
Katherine Mansfield was the fourth surviving daughter of the family; her sisters were Vera, Charlotte, and Jeanne. Mansfield’s grandmother and two aunts also lived in the small house in Wellington where she was born, until the Beauchamps relocated to Karori, New Zealand....