Fay Compton was christened Virginia Lilian Emeline Compton Mackenzie in London, England on September 18, 1894. Compton made her first professional appearances in between 1911 and 1913 with The Follies under the leadership of H.G.Pelissier, her future husband. She made her mark in the several plays of J. M. Barrie (of Peter Pan fame) introducing him to London audiences, notably in the title role of Mary Rose in 1920. In 1926, she published reminiscences entitled Rosemary: Some remembrances.