George Walton, architect and designer: papers

Correspondence with Morton & Co. (1926-1930); personal papers and belongings (1908-1957); sketch books and designs (ca. 1905-1924); textiles and other samples (ca. 1920-1992); photographs (ca. 1857-1990); press cuttings (1788-1986); publications regarding Walton and family (1899-2003); papers relating to the 'George Walton: Designer and Architect' exhibition (1954-1989); papers collected by Edward Walton on George Walton and family (ca. 1850-2003), correspondence of Margaret Hall on George Walton (1972-2003), papers relating to other family members (ca. 1856-1980).

George Walton was born in Glasgow in 1867. After becoming a bank clerk Walton left to take up art and design, after studying it at evening classes. Walton became known as one of the 'Glasgow School' of artists and designers of the late 19th and early 20th Century, a group which was known for their art nouveau designs and included, amongst others, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Edward A. Walton, George Walton's elder brother. In 1888 Walton set up his own company in Glasgow, where one of his first jobs was helping to design the interior of the Cranston tea rooms with Rennie Mackintosh. From 1895 Walton helped to design the interior and furniture for the Rowntree family tea rooms.

Walton moved premises to London in 1898, and began designing for the Kodak stores, show rooms and Head Office. In the early 20th century Walton started to design stained glass as well as furniture. Walton then designed 'The Log Cabin House Boat' in 1903. Later buildings designed include 'Wern Fawr', Harlech, in Wales, in 1906; 'The White House', Shiplake in 1908, and the Wern Fawr Music Room in 1909. During World War One Walton worked for the Central Control Board (Liquor Control) helping to redesign seized pubs and breweries. After the war Walton designed houses in Sterne Street, Shepherd's Bush; the interior of the Chateau des Enfants, Cap d'Antibes; and a garden for the Bank of England. Between 1926 and 1930 Walton designed patterns for textiles for Morton & Co. His last noted piece of work was the design for the Chapel of St George in Cap d'Antibes in 1931.

Walton was a member of an artistic family. His father, Jackson Walton, was a painter, and a number of his sisters studied at art school, including Cecile, Hannah and Constance Walton. He married twice, his first wife being Kate Gaul who died in 1913, and with whom he had a daughter, Marguerite. He remarried in 1918 Dorothy (known as Daphne) Jeram, with whom he had a son, Edward. Walton died in 1933.

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Study Rooms by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Access to some of the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

Given by Margaret Hall, 2004. Papers held by Edward Walton until his death in 1991.

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.