BURGESS, William James

1825 - c.1911

William James Burgess was born in London on 10 February 1825 and baptised at St Luke, Chelsea on 30 January 1836, son of Herbert Sawyer Philip Burgess (c1791-22 January 1853), a coach-maker and his wife Mary Elizabeth née [?] (c1797-7 April 1884). In 1841 an 'artist' living at Sloane Square, Chelsea with his parents Herbert 51 and Mary 40 and siblings Emma 20, Henrietta 18, William 15 and Cecilia 13. His father died at Sloane Square, Chelsea in 1853, aged 62 and his elder sister Mary Emma Burgess died at 19 Walpole Street, Chelsea on 16 May 1878 and his mother died at the same address in 1884 and her death notice is quoted 'Colonial papers are requested to copy'. William seems to have been a carpenter in the Royal Navy and in 1881, a 54-year-old scene artist, living at 7 Chenery Street, Ipswich with his 44-year-old wife Frances, who was born at Whaplode, Lincolnshire and their children Frederick 11, born in London, Frank 9, born in Exeter, William 5 and George 2, both born at Ipswich. In 1881 he exhibited at the Ipswich Fine Art Club from 15 Clay Lane, Ipswich ‘Sketch of Old Houses pulled down on the Site of the New Corn Exchange’ and was a member of the Club the following year from 43 Brook Street, Ipswich. Between his birth and after his stay in Ipswich his life is obscure. Probably the William James Burgess who died at West Ham in 1911, aged 84.

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Works by This Artist