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2 - Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (biography, by Edward Wakeling) 3 - Sir John Tenniel (biography, by Edward Wakeling) 4 - Alice Pleasance Liddell (biography, by Edward Wakeling) 5 - Emily Gertrude Thomson (biography, by Edward Wakeling)) 6 - "The Nursery 'Alice' Illustrations" (by Brian Sibley, courtesy The Lewis Carroll Society, UK)
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Biography by Edward
Wakeling © © © Emily Gertrude Thomson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1850. Her father, Alexander Thomson (1815-1895) was an independent minister of Rusholme Road Chapel, Aberdeen, professor of theology at Glasgow University, and later lecturer in Greek and Hebrew at the Lancashire Independent College. Her mother, who came from Birmingham, was Emma J. East (1819-1888). Emily Gertrude was one of seven children: an unnamed daughter who died young; Emma Morell Mackenzie; William, who also died young; Ann Baldwin; Emily Gertrude; Helen; and another boy whose name is unknown. E. Gertrude Thomson, as she became known, revealed artistic talents in her childhood and went on to study the subject seriously at the Manchester School of Art, winning many prizes. Her work included portraits, designs for stained-glass windows, and illustrations for books. Dodgson came across the work of Emily Gertrude Thomson in December 1878 when he acquired some illustrated Christmas cards she had designed for the Fairyland Series. He was impressed with her artistic style and wrote off to Arthur Ackermann, the publisher, asking for her address. Ackermann issued original Christmas cards from 1877 to 1900 from his commercial premises at 191 Regent Street. Miss Thomson produced several sets of large cards depicting seashore, shells, fish, and nude children. Ackermann presumably replied to Dodgson’s letter. Dodgson and Miss Thomson met in London on 27 June 1879, and a valued friendship ensued. Photographing from life – and especially photographing children – had been Dodgson’s main hobby for many years. He also attempted to draw from life, but he was never fully satisfied with his results. In the work of Miss Thomson he recognised a kindred spirit; he particularly admired her cherubs and child-nudes, tastefully drawn to appeal to Victorian sensibilities. Dodgson and Miss Thomson corresponded before actually meeting and Dodgson sent her inscribed copies of both Alice books, especially bound in white morocco. The relationship, even at a distance, must have been important for both of them; both shared a similar artistic interest in the portrayal of fairy-like figures. They met at the South Kensington Museum. Miss Thomson described the meeting in her article about Dodgson published in The Gentlewoman, 29 January and 5 February 1898: A little before twelve I was at the rendezvous, and then the humour of the situation suddenly struck me, that I had not the ghost of an idea what he was like, nor would he have any better chance of discovering me. The room was fairly full of all sorts and conditions as usual, and I glanced at each masculine figure in turn, only to reject it as a possibility of the one I sought. Just as the big clock had clanged out twelve, I heard the high vivacious voices and laughter of children sounding down the corridor. At that moment a gentleman entered, two little girls clinging to his hands, and I caught sight of the tall, slim figure, with the clean-shaven, delicate, refined face, I said to myself, "That’s Lewis Carroll." He stood for a moment, head erect, glancing swiftly over the room, then bending down, whispered something to one of the children: she, after a moment’s pause, pointed straight at me. Dropping their hands, he came forward, and with that winning smile of his that utterly banished the oppressive sense of the Oxford don, said simply, "I am Mr Dodgson; I was to meet you, I think?" To which I as frankly smiled and said, "How did you know me so soon?" "My little friend found you. I told her I had come to meet a young lady who knew fairies, and she fixed on you at once. But I knew you before she spoke." From this moment they became artistic partners, often arranging joint sketching parties. Miss Thomson also helped to supply models and to arrange sittings for Dodgson so that he could sketch from life. They met on many occasions over the next five years. It was not until 1885 that Dodgson suggested that Miss Thomson might provide him with illustrations for one of his books. In 1889, Dodgson advertised a projected book "Original Games and Puzzles" with 20 illustrations by E. Gertrude Thomson. However, Miss Thomson was slow in drawing pictures to Dodgson’s specifications, and the book remained incomplete at Dodgson’s death. Some of the illustrations were used instead for his book of serious poems, Three Sunsets, and Other Poems (February 1898). In the meantime, Dodgson commissioned E. Gertrude Thomson to produce a design for the cover of The Nursery "Alice." He wrote in his diary on 26 February 1889: "Miss Thomson writes that she hopes to send sketch for picture-cover directly. We should now get the book out by Easter," and on 18 March: "But it hasn’t yet come! She has been very busy, and lately unwell. Still we may get it out by Easter after all." Dodgson had already informed his publisher that the illustration was on its way. Dodgson’s optimism was premature. The illustration was still late in being delivered. The book did not go to press until 18 April 1889, without the cover design, which followed at a later date. Miss Thomson’s only other published drawings for Dodgson were twelve fairy-fancies in The Three Sunsets, and Other Poems. However, Miss Thomson was Dodgson’s second choice of illustrator for this book. Dodgson tried unsuccessfully to get Harry Furniss to do the illustrations, but Furniss was too busy. The book was published posthumously in February 1898. The last meeting Dodgson had with Miss Thomson was on the 20 November 1897, on which occasion he came to London and visited her studio in Addison Hall where they did some sketches of her little model, Isy Watson, aged 13. Afterwards they lunched with the Bowles family in Lowndes Square. In her article in The Gentlewoman, Gertrude Thomson wrote: He was exceptionally brilliant that day at lunch, full of repartee and anecdote. He looked extremely well, and as if many years of work still lay before him. As we were driving to the theatre he confessed to me that he had been working very hard lately, sitting up till 5 o’clock in the morning. When I ventured to gently remonstrate, he smiled. "It suits me," he said, "I feel ver well." Then suddenly, turning to me, he said, while a wistful look grew in his eyes. "My time is so short. I have so much to do before I go, and the call might come any day." Little did I dream that before two months were over the call would have come. He was charmed with The Little Minister. Miss Winifred Emery, by her enchanting personality, won his warmest admiration. The part of the boy was played by a young actress with whom he had just become acquainted. While in the theatre he scribbled a note. "May we come round and see you?" and handed it to one of the officials to send in to her. Presently back came a note: he glanced at the superscription, and on his lips played the old whimsical smile. "This is evidently intended for you." He said quietly. "Will you allow me to open it?" It was addressed, "Mrs. Dodgson." How we laughed. At Dodgson’s funeral in January 1898, one of the wreaths at his graveside contained this message: "To the sweetest soul that ever looked with human eyes." It was written by E. Gertrude Thomson. Miss Thomson was a typical artist with very little business acumen, and often found herself in financial difficulties. In 1893, she declared herself bankrupt. However, her fortunes improved within a few years, and in 1909 she was commissioned to paint a miniature of Miss Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (later to become the Queen Mother). She was nominated as Associate of the Royal Miniature Society (ARMS) in 1911, and full Membership (RMS) in 1912. She never made much money throughout her painting and illustrating career, and died in relative poverty, at the age of 79, in 1929. © Edward Wakeling: March 2008 For further reading on Emily Gertrude Thomson: ©Biography of Emily Gertrude Thomson by Lesley O'Neil ©Contrariwise - The Association for new Lewis Carroll Studies |
