Papers of Edwin John and his daughter Sara John, 1911-[?2005], including family and other correspondence, 1911-2004; press cuttings, 1931-1985; and theses and other papers relating to Gwen John, [?mid 20 cent.]-2002.
Edwin and Sara John papers
This material is held atNational Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru
- Reference
- GB 210 MSEDJOHN
- Alternative Id.(alternative) vtls006250396
- Dates of Creation
- 1911-[?2005]
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English French English, French.
- Physical Description
- 6 volumes, 5 folders and wallets, 1 large box.
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Gwendolen Mary John (Gwen John) (1876-1939), artist, was born on 22 June 1876 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, to Edwin and Augusta John, and was raised in Tenby. She attended the Slade School of Fine Art, London, from 1895 to 1898. In 1904 she settled in Paris, moving to the suburb of Meudon in 1911. She died in Dieppe, France, on 18 September 1939. Gwen John's younger brother, Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961), artist, was born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, and became a leading British portrait painter. He married Ida Nettleship (1877-1907) in 1901 and they had five children: David (b. 1902), Caspar (1903-1984), Robin (b. 1904), Edwin (1905-1978) and Henry (1907-1935). Dorelia McNeill (1881-1969), his mistress and, following Ida's death, his common-law wife, gave him a further four children: Pyramus (1905-1912), Romilly (1906-1986), Elizabeth Ann (Poppet) (1912-1997) and Vivien (1915-1994). The family settled at Alderney Manor, Dorset, and from 1927 at Fryern Court, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Augustus died there on 31 October 1961. Edwin John, after a brief career as a boxer, became a watercolour artist. He lived in Paris for some years in the mid-1930s and, possibly as a result, was made executor and chief legatee to his aunt, Gwen John, on her death in 1939. He married Beatrice D. Barry in 1932; their son Ben was born in 1935 and their daughter Sara in 1946.
Arrangement
Arranged at NLW as follows: correspondence; papers.
Access Information
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions set out in information provided when applying for their Readers' Tickets, whereby the reader shall become responsible for compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 in relation to any processing by them of personal data obtained from modern records held at the Library.
Acquisition Information
NLW MSS 23919-22, NLW ex 2293-7: Miss Sara John; Oswestry; Purchase (with NLW Facs 975); January 2004; 0200401714, 0200401716-7, 0200401721-2, 0200401726-8.
NLW ex 2975-7: Miss Sara John; Oswestry; Donation; April 2016; 99138932502419.
Note
Gwendolen Mary John (Gwen John) (1876-1939), artist, was born on 22 June 1876 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, to Edwin and Augusta John, and was raised in Tenby. She attended the Slade School of Fine Art, London, from 1895 to 1898. In 1904 she settled in Paris, moving to the suburb of Meudon in 1911. She died in Dieppe, France, on 18 September 1939. Gwen John's younger brother, Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961), artist, was born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, and became a leading British portrait painter. He married Ida Nettleship (1877-1907) in 1901 and they had five children: David (b. 1902), Caspar (1903-1984), Robin (b. 1904), Edwin (1905-1978) and Henry (1907-1935). Dorelia McNeill (1881-1969), his mistress and, following Ida's death, his common-law wife, gave him a further four children: Pyramus (1905-1912), Romilly (1906-1986), Elizabeth Ann (Poppet) (1912-1997) and Vivien (1915-1994). The family settled at Alderney Manor, Dorset, and from 1927 at Fryern Court, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Augustus died there on 31 October 1961. Edwin John, after a brief career as a boxer, became a watercolour artist. He lived in Paris for some years in the mid-1930s and, possibly as a result, was made executor and chief legatee to his aunt, Gwen John, on her death in 1939. He married Beatrice D. Barry in 1932; their son Ben was born in 1935 and their daughter Sara in 1946.
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Michael Holroyd, Augustus John: The New Biography (London, 1996); Sue Roe, Gwen John: A Life (London, 2001); Mary Taubman, Gwen John: The Artist and Her Work (London, 1985).
Title based on contents of fonds.
Archivist's Note
April 2012 and May 2017.
Description compiled by Rhys Morgan Jones.
Conditions Governing Use
Usual copyright laws apply. Information regarding the ownership of Augustus John and Gwen John copyright can be found at http://tyler.hrc.utexas.edu/ (viewed April 2012).
Additional Information
Published
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales