Richard Glynn Vivian
Encyclopedia
Richard Glynn Vivian was the founder of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
in Swansea
.
Born on 31 August 1835, Vivian was the fourth and youngest son of industrialist John Henry Vivian
and his wife Sarah, daughter of Arthur Jones, of Reigate
. He graduated from Cambridge University as M.A. He was a burgess of Swansea and a Deputy Lieutenant.
He married, on 11 March 1885, Laura Hermione Beatrice, the only daughter of Henry Craigie Halkett, who divorced him on 6 June 1891.
Vivian inherited a quarter of his father's copper business, Vivian & Sons
, but rather than get involved in the copper industry, he chose to pursue the arts and travel. He collected many works of art at his home, Sketty Hall
. He became almost blind in March 1902, an event described in his book, E Tenebris Lux, dictated in 1906. He then donated his art collection to Swansea Corporation, which at his expense erected the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery to house it. Vivian laid the foundation stone on 14 May 1909 but died childless at his London home on 7 June 1910, just over a year before the gallery was opened by his brother Graham.
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is the public art gallery of the city of Swansea, Wales. The gallery is situated in Alexandra Road, near Swansea railway station, opposite the old Swansea Central Library and near Swansea Central police station...
in Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
.
Born on 31 August 1835, Vivian was the fourth and youngest son of industrialist John Henry Vivian
John Henry Vivian
John Henry Vivian was a Welsh industrialist and politician of Cornish extraction.Vivian was the son of John Vivian, of Truro, Cornwall, and his wife Betsey, daughter of the Reverend Richard Cranch, and the brother of Hussey Vivian, 1st Baron Vivian...
and his wife Sarah, daughter of Arthur Jones, of Reigate
Reigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
. He graduated from Cambridge University as M.A. He was a burgess of Swansea and a Deputy Lieutenant.
He married, on 11 March 1885, Laura Hermione Beatrice, the only daughter of Henry Craigie Halkett, who divorced him on 6 June 1891.
Vivian inherited a quarter of his father's copper business, Vivian & Sons
Vivian & Sons
Vivian & Sons was a British metallurgical and chemicals business based at Hafod, in the lower Swansea valley. The firm was founded in 1810, disappearing as a separate entity in 1924...
, but rather than get involved in the copper industry, he chose to pursue the arts and travel. He collected many works of art at his home, Sketty Hall
Sketty Hall
Sketty Hall is a venue used for hosting social functions, business functions and conferences in Singleton Park, Swansea, south Wales.The original building was built in the early 18th century as a private house. Over the years it has seen a number of extensions, modifications and changes of use to...
. He became almost blind in March 1902, an event described in his book, E Tenebris Lux, dictated in 1906. He then donated his art collection to Swansea Corporation, which at his expense erected the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery to house it. Vivian laid the foundation stone on 14 May 1909 but died childless at his London home on 7 June 1910, just over a year before the gallery was opened by his brother Graham.