Papers of Sir Theodore Martin
Overview
This collection consists of a bound volume containing a printed play (Madonna Pia, inlaid); sketches for costumes; a portrait photograph tentatively identfied as Sir Frederic William Burton; and some loose materials that have been physically separated, including a letter and pencil sketch.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1855-1860
Creator
- Martin, Theodore, 1816-1909 (Author, Person)
- Burton, Frederic William, 1816-1900 (Artist, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of Theodore Martin
Theodore Martin, born in 1816 in Edinburgh the son of a solicitor, followed in his father's legal footsteps. Practicing first in Edinburgh, he moved to London and became senior partner in the firm Martin & Leslie. He additionally wrote popular humorous works, including a Book of Ballads with W.E. Aytoun, as well as translations of works by such authors as Dante, Goethe, and Danish poet Henrik Hertz. Queen Victoria commissioned him to write a Life of the Prince Consort after the death of Prince Albert. Martin married Helene Faucit in 1851 and died in 1909.
Biography of Frederic William Burton
Born in Ireland in 1816, Burton attended Dublin Society's Drawing Schools and began his career painting miniature portraits. He traveled around Ireland with antiquarian George Petrie, painting abandoned sites, and spent time studying in Germany before moving to London. Burton was notable for painting solely in watercolors. In 1874 he was appointed director of the National Gallery in London. Retiring in 1894, Burton died in 1900.
Extent
1 volume (1 volume + 1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
The volume is a second edition of a play by Sir Theodore Martin, printed in London for private circulation in 1860, first published in 1855. It concerns the 13th-century Pia dei Tolommei mentioned by Dante. Included in the volume are watercolors of costumed characters, with brief notes regarding costuming; and while these items are unsigned, information from the letter listed as item 3 at MS E184 indicates that the watercolors are very likely from the hand of Irish painter Sir Frederic William Burton. Also included in the volume are a letter, notes, and a salt print photograph that has been tentatively identifed as Burton. Loose material formerly laid in the volume has been physically separated and is housed at MS P207.
Physical Location
MS E184
Physical Location
MS P207
Custodial History
The volume was conceivably owned by Lady Helena Saville (Faucit) Martin, [1817-1898] ? One bookplate states Sir Theodore Martin,K. C. B. (armorial) [after 1880, when Kcb; before 1896, when, Kcvo-Dnb]. Another bookplate states Belmont Corn, Jr. [artist: Bank B. Gordon]. A note on the last blank leaf states Phillip S. Franklin r sale 52 E 82d St Nyc, Nov 8, '38. "Binders stamp": Sotheran & Co.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Argosy, 1962/1963.
- Title
- Guide to the Sir Theodore Martin Collection
- Subtitle
- Papers of Sir Theodore Martin
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by alh, January 14, 1975; revised by ksc, January 5, 2009. Finding aid encoded by mg, 2005; revised by skt, 2010. Revised by mwh, 2018.
- Date
- 2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in<language encodinganalog="language">English.</language>
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/4982935184
- Preferred citation
-
Sir Theodore Martin Collection, Department of Special Collections, MS E184, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository