Biography of James Collinson 1825-1881

In or before 1817 [his father] Robert Collinson (age 30) and [his mother] Mary Harvey were married.

On 9th May 1825 James Collinson was born to Robert Collinson (age 39) and Mary Harvey at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. His father was a bookseller and sub-postmaster. Early in life James received art instruction from a Mrs. Ann Paulson, a local Mansfield artist.

Around 1840 James Collinson (age 14) entered the Royal Academy Schools where he was a fellow student with (age 11) and William Holman Hunt (age 12).

In June 1845 [his father] Robert Collinson (age 59) died.

1847. James Collinson (age 21). 'The Charity Boy's Debut'. Exhibited at the Royal Academy.

In September 1847 the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was formed at 7 Gower Street, Camden [Map], the home of John Everett Millais 1st Baronet (age 18). The seven founder members were Millais, brothers Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 19) and William Michael Rossetti (age 17), William Holman Hunt (age 20), James Collinson (age 22), Frederick George Stephens (age 19) and Thomas Woolner (age 21).

Between 1848 and 1850. James Collinson (age 22). "An Incident in the Life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary".

Around 1848 James Collinson (age 22) and Christina Rossetti (age 17) were engaged; he had converted to Anglicanism. The engagement ended in 1850 when he reverted to Catholicism.

1850. James Collinson (age 24). "Answering the Emigrant's Letter". In the collection of Manchester Art Gallery.

1850. James Collinson (age 24). "The Child Jesus".

On 20th May 1850 James Collinson (age 25) resigned from Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood being opposed to the Brotherhood bringing the Christian religion into disrepute when Millais' Christ in the House of his Parents was accused of being blasphemous.

The Diary of George Price Boyce 1851. 4th June 1851. Called on Wells (age 22). Miss Guyson, the model, was with him, a good looking girl. She gave him a ticket for the Portland Gallery, National Institution, which I made use of. A fine picture [See Painting] there by Collinson (age 26), P.R.B., from the life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (price £240).

On 15th January 1853 James Collinson (age 27) entered Hodder Place near Stonyhurst, the Jesuit College in Lancashire, as a novitiate to train for the priesthood. Collinson discontiued his studies some time between September 1854 and January 1855 without completing his religious training and resumed his painting career.

1856. James Collinson (age 30). "Home Again".

1856. James Collinson (age 30). "A Son of the Soil". Exhibited this painting at the British institution in 1856, no. 375, the first work that he exhibited there. William Michael Rossetti (age 26) wrote in the Spectator: "Mr. Collinson's Son of the Soil – a lusty labourer seated in a public-house with his pewter pot of beer before him, and behind him an advertisement for men to serve in the Army Works Corps – is an exact study from nature". In the collection of Manchester Art Gallery.

1857. James Collinson (age 31). "The Empty Purse". This painting is also known as "For Sale".

On 9th February 1858 James Collinson (age 32) and Eliza Alvenia Wheeler (age 40) were married at Brompton Oratory, Kensington.

In or before July 1859 James Collinson (age 34) and his wife Eliza Alvenia Wheeler (age 41) were living at Woodcote, New Road, Epsom where their only child Robert Vincent was born.

From 1861 to 1870 James Collinson (age 35) was secretary of the Society of British Artists.

In 1863 [his mother] Mary Harvey died.

In or before 1864 James Collinson (age 38) and his family were living at 15 St John's Park, Upper Holloway.

In or before 1875 James Collinson (age 49) and his family were living at 370 Cold-Harbour-lane, Brixton.

1878. James Collinson (age 52). "The Holy Family".

On 24th January 1881 James Collinson (age 55) died at 16 Paulet Road, Camberwell. He was buried at Camberwell Old Cemetery.

In January 1894 [his former wife] Eliza Alvenia Wheeler (age 76) died at Camberwell, Surrey [Map].