The Life of Allen Edward Everitt
Born in Birmingham to art dealer Edward Everitt and grandson of the artist Allen Everitt, Allen Edward Everitt was an English architectural artist and illustrator. He received art lessons from David Cox, with whom he maintained a friendship. His artistic specialty focused on drawing old buildings and their interiors, primarily using watercolour. Between the ages of thirty and forty, he undertook painting tours through Germany, France, and Belgium.
Everitt was a prominent figure in the Birmingham art community between 1850 and 1880. He joined the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists in 1857 and served as its honorary secretary from 1858 until his death. His professional contributions included serving as an honorary curator for the Birmingham Free Art Gallery and acting as an honorary secretary for the archaeological section of the Midlands Institute.
Artistic Contributions and Legacy
Everitt's work serves as a historical record of local buildings, particularly within the Midlands. His detailed drawings captured many sites of archaeological or historical interest. Notable works include:
- A series of drawings of Aston Hall completed in 1854.
- Illustrations for John Thackray Bunce's History of old St. Martin's (1875).
- Articles for the journal Transactions regarding various churches and old houses in the Midlands.
In addition to his illustrations, Everitt taught drawing at the Deaf and Dumb Institution in Edgbaston. He married Frances Hudson in 1880. He died in Edgbaston in 1882, leaving behind a large collection of sketches that document buildings in the Birmingham area, many of which no longer exist.
