Papers of William Hole (1846-1917)

Material includes: pencil drawings; a letter of Hole offering to lecture on 'The life of Jesus of Nazareth' told in pictures; and, a letter declining a request for a contribution from him for an exhibition.

Painter and etcher William Hole was born in Salisbury on 7 November 1846. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy before serving an apprenticeship as a civil engineer in Edinburgh. As a young man he travelled to Italy and sketches he made there were commended by artists in Rome. In 1870, he decided to become an artist himself and he studied at the Royal Scottish Academy School. Hole practised etching, painting, and mural decoration. His principal paintings include End of the '45 (1879), Prince Charlie's parliament (1882), and, The Canterbury pilgrims (1889). He provided original etchings for Quasi cursores (1884) and Illustrations of Burns's poems (1896). Mural paintings include those in the chancel of St. James's Church, Edinburgh, and historical paintings in the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh. William Hole died on 22 October 1917.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who 1916-1928. 3rd edition. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1962.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.