Alfred E. Goodey
Encyclopedia
Alfred E. Goodey was a collector of paintings, prints and photographs, especially those connected with the English Midlands
town of Derby
.
Goodey had a range of interests including natural history and walking in Derbyshire; he was an amateur Shakespearean actor founding a local society and arranging "The Loft" for rehearsals near his own house in Lambourne Road. He has been described as a man about town in plus fours and a full beard and moustache who would frequent his favourite pub on Sadler Gate and discuss the issues of the day. However it was his interest in art that led him to the presidency of the Derby Sketching Club
and a shrewd eye for a painting that would help to record Derby's history that ensured his notability.
Goodey amassed a remarkable record of Derby as it existed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1936 he gave over 500 paintings to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery
. He also bequeathed to the town further works of art and £13,000 to be used to build an extension to the Museum. He died in Derby in 1945 and the museum now houses not only Goodey's collection but the biggest collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby
. Goodey's collection included paintings by Alfred John Keene
, a member of the Keene family of Derby which included his father and photographer Richard Keene
who published the Derby Telegraph, and his brother William Caxton Keene. Three of the paintings given to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery
by Goodey were by artist Ernest Ellis Clark
. Another was by C.T. Moore
. Images of his collection have been published by Derby City Council
in the book 'Goodey's Derby'.
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
town of Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
.
Biography
Alfred Edward Goodey's parents were William Henry Goodey and Rhoda Strutt and he was born in Derby in 1878. He was educated at home and at the Whitworth School before he attended Derby School of Art. He began collecting oils, watercolours, prints and photographs in 1886, searching as far afield as America for anything to do with Derby. He even commissioned artists to paint contemporary views of Derby, anxious to record anything that might be demolished or changed.Goodey had a range of interests including natural history and walking in Derbyshire; he was an amateur Shakespearean actor founding a local society and arranging "The Loft" for rehearsals near his own house in Lambourne Road. He has been described as a man about town in plus fours and a full beard and moustache who would frequent his favourite pub on Sadler Gate and discuss the issues of the day. However it was his interest in art that led him to the presidency of the Derby Sketching Club
Derby Sketching Club
The Derby Sketching Club is a members' club now meeting in Littleover, Derby, England. It was founded in 1887, and still meets today, providing members with facilities so they and others can work and share their interest in painting and sketching. Early members included F...
and a shrewd eye for a painting that would help to record Derby's history that ensured his notability.
Goodey amassed a remarkable record of Derby as it existed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1936 he gave over 500 paintings to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1879, along with Derby Central Library, in a new building designed by Richard Knill Freeman and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. The collection includes a whole gallery displaying the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby; there is also a large...
. He also bequeathed to the town further works of art and £13,000 to be used to build an extension to the Museum. He died in Derby in 1945 and the museum now houses not only Goodey's collection but the biggest collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby
Joseph Wright of Derby
Joseph Wright , styled Wright of Derby, was an English landscape and portrait painter. He has been acclaimed as "the first professional painter to express the spirit of the Industrial Revolution"....
. Goodey's collection included paintings by Alfred John Keene
Alfred John Keene
Alfred John Keene was a British watercolour artist working in Derby.-Biography:Keene was the fourth son of photographer Richard Keene who published the Derby Telegraph and brother of watercolourist William Caxton Keene and photographer Charles Barrow Keene...
, a member of the Keene family of Derby which included his father and photographer Richard Keene
Richard Keene
Richard Keene was an early Derbyshire photographer. He was a founding member of The Derby Photographic Society in 1884 and the Photographic Convention of the United Kingdom in 1886 as well as being an early member of The Linked Ring.-Life:Keene was the son of Richard Keene and Priscilla Kimpton,...
who published the Derby Telegraph, and his brother William Caxton Keene. Three of the paintings given to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1879, along with Derby Central Library, in a new building designed by Richard Knill Freeman and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. The collection includes a whole gallery displaying the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby; there is also a large...
by Goodey were by artist Ernest Ellis Clark
Ernest Ellis Clark
Ernest Ellis Clark was a Derby born artist who became an artist for Crown Derby. Three of his paintings are in Derby Museum and Art Gallery.-Biography:...
. Another was by C.T. Moore
Claude Thomas Stanfield Moore
Claude Thomas Stanfield Moore was a British Landcape Painter from Nottingham. He was known for his marine scenes and paintings of parliament.-Biography:...
. Images of his collection have been published by Derby City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
in the book 'Goodey's Derby'.