The work of a renowned artist, poet and doctor is to be the focus of the latest display at Darlington Libraries’ Centre for Local Studies.
George Algernon Fothergill was born in 1868 in Leamington, Warwickshire. As a young boy he loved to draw and kept a diary which he filled with sketches. He was awarded his school art prize three times, but despite his obvious artistic talent he decided to study anatomy at Edinburgh University and eventually became a doctor.
In 1898, at the age of 30, Fothergill moved to 18, Duke Street, Darlington with his wife Isabel and their children. Initially he practised as a doctor in the town but soon gave up his medical career to concentrate on art.
During the 10 years he spent in Darlington Fothergill became well known for his sketches and paintings. He was particularly well regarded as a sporting artist but he also produced silhouettes, letterheads, adverts and Christmas cards.
His work was published in Vanity Fair and other magazines and papers, and he produced several albums and sketch books. In 1904 a large collection of his work was donated to the town.
Fothergill left Darlington in 1908 and moved back to Scotland, but later returned to the south of England and died in 1945 in Sussex.
The latest display in the Centre for Local Studies features many drawings, paintings and sketches from the Fothergill Collection and will run throughout October.
Mandy Fay, Senior Library Officer at Darlington Libraries, said:
“We’re lucky to have a wonderful selection of Fothergill’s work and this is a great opportunity to see some of the many paintings and sketches that he produced, including some of local landmarks.”
To find out more about events log onto the website at Centre for Local Studies, pop into the centre at Crown Street Library, call 01325 349630 or email local.studies@darlington.gov.uk.