Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Manuscripts and Rare Books Librarian, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

Sir David Wilkie Papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase

Processing Information:

Processed by Ellen Strong in 1985.

Biographical Information:

Wilkie was born at Fife, Scotland in 1785, the son of a parish minister. After obtaining a basic eduction Wilkie enrolled in the Trustees' Academy in Edinburgh to study art and later in London's Royal Academy of Arts. By the the early 1800s he had become a well known artist and in November 1809 was elected an associate of the Royal Academy.

During his career he painted works in the Dutch genre-style, and produced portraits of numerous important figures of his day, such as of King George IV in 1822. In 1830 Wilkie was appointed to succeed Sir T. Lawrence as Painter in Ordinary to the king, and was knighted in 1836. He continued to paint until his death in 1841.

Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: David Wilkie

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of fourteen letters of outgoing correspondence penned by Scottish painter Sir David Wilkie (1785-1841) between 1820 and 1840. These letters were written while Wilkie was residing in London and discuss his work as an artist and are addressed to various correspondents.

15 items.

Arrangement of Materials:

Chronological

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Painters--Great Britain
• Russell, Adelaide, Lady
• Wilkie, David, 1785-1841