DODGSON, John Arthur

1890 - 1969

John Arthur Dodgson was born at Murree, Bengal, India on 13 June 1890 and baptised on 11 July 1890, son of Heathfield Butler Dodgson (2 October 1863-31 August 1937), an Indian Army officer, and his wife Sybil Agnes Vivian (1862-28 December 1936), eldest daughter of the late Hon. John Cranch Walker Vivian, who married at All Saints' Church, Ennesmore Gardens, London on 17 August 1889, John was a nephew of Campbel Dodgson (1862-1948), keeper of prints and drawings at the British Museum. Dodgson was educated at Eton and after Oxford University 1909-1913, he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art 1913-1915 under Henry Tonks (1862-1937). He served in the army during the First World War and carried out a commission for the Imperial War Museum and, for a brief time in 1919, was assistant director of the National Gallery. Painter, printmaker, teacher, and art collector, he exhibited at the New English Art Club and at the London Group of Artists of which he was president 1950-1952. After service during the Second World War, he taught at Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts 1946-1950 then at Chelsea School of Art 1950-1958. Dodgson's work owes something to the Camden Town and Euston Road traditions, and his first solo show was at the Claridge Gallery in 1928 and had another at Beaux Arts Gallery in 1959. His own studio was burnt down in 1964, and his remaining work is limited. He married at St John's Church, Westminster on 29 April 1916, Margaret Valentine Pease (8 February 1889-19 March 1952), eldest daughter of Howard Pease of Otterburn Towers, Northumberland, and they lived at Chelsworth, Suffolk. John Arthur Dodgson died at Hill House, Chelsworth on 10 September 1969.

---

Works by This Artist