Talk:Norma Major

Biography assessment rating comment
WikiProject Biography Summer 2007 Assessment Drive

The article may be improved by following the WikiProject Biography 11 easy steps to producing at least a B article. -- Yamara 21:42, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Maiden name
I can find no sources to support her maiden name of Wagstaff. Her husband's autobiography only gives her surname as Johnson and makes no mention of any other surnames at any stage. Please correct (or add) if there are any sources for Wagstaff, though. Peeper 21:36, 17 December 2005 (UTC)


 * Facts about the British Prime Ministers by Dermot Englefield, Janet Seaton and Isobel White, page 351: "WIFE: Norma Christina Elizabeth Johnson (n&eacute;e Wagstaff–her mother reverted to her maiden name of Johnson after being widowed)". David | Talk 21:38, 17 December 2005 (UTC)


 * Also the index to Anthony Seldon's biography of John gives her entry as "Major, Norma (n&eacute;e Wagstaff, wife)". Timrollpickering 00:21, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Norma Major's title
I have re-edited her title back to Norma, Lady Major on the basis that this is an encylopedic entry, and therefore the opening title of the object of the entry should be referred to by their correct legal title rather than his or her preferred title.

For example Tam Dalyell's legal name is Sir Thomas Dalyell of the Binns, 11th Baronet but he pefers not to use his title. However, an encylopedic entry should display the legal title first, as it is an encyclopedia, the contents of which should display the objective factual status of its subject and not the subject's preferences, in this case the use of one style over the other.

Additionally, Lord Coe might prefer to be called "Sebastian" in private rather than Lord Coe but that is STILL his legal title, and should be documented in the entry.

The content of the article makes a sizeable reference to Dame Norma's preferred style and title, which is enough for its purposes.

I should like to hear any views to the contrary.--Jason Hughes 22:11, 4 October 2006 (UTC)


 * One could argue that as she is entitled to use a lesser style that she is entitled to. For instance, though Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall is entitled to be styled "The Princess of Wales", she chooses to use the style "The Duchess of Cornwall". -- Ibagli ( Talk ) 15:14, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Where, other than on Wikipedia, might I find the source of the information which indicates that Lady Major prefers to be called Dame Norma Major. rkstaylor (talk) 12:48, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

“Known for: Former spouse of the prime minister of the United Kingdom (1990–1997)” A “Former spouse” is surely either deceased or divorced, and Norma is neither. “Spouse of the former Prime Minister …” would seem better, even if awkward to do with the embedded link. 84.92.59.184 (talk) — Preceding undated comment added 16:10, 7 July 2022 (UTC)

External links modified
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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20111016063730/http://www.number10.gov.uk/history-and-tour/john-major-2/ to http://www.number10.gov.uk/history-and-tour/john-major-2/

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A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion: You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. Community Tech bot (talk) 03:22, 1 July 2018 (UTC)
 * Norma Major.jpg