Arthur Burchett was born on the 20th of August 1853 at Highgate, London, England. He was an artist who devoted his life to painting and to portrait photography. He was a student at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and exhibited his paintings at the Royal Academy, the Dudley Gallery, London, The Royal Society of British Artists, and in Paris as well as other centres. He received medals in various parts of the world for his exhibits in photography. He painted in both oil and watercolor and concentrated mainly on landscapes. He resided at #10, St. Alban’s Villas at Highgate, Willoughby Lodge at Hampstead Heath, and also lived and painted at Littlehampton. Arthur married Annie Bridget Page on 21 April 1896, and they had four children who were all born in England: James, Edgar, John, and Margaret. The family immigrated to Canada in 1913 and located in Duncan, British Columbia, where there was a large contingent of British people. The descendants of his children are domiciled mainly in British Columbia, Canada. Arthur continued to paint, photograph, and teach in Canada. He maintained a studio for some years on College Street in Duncan. Arthur died at the age of 73 on 2 July 1927 in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada. He is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Somenos, British Columbia. One of his paintings in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in B.C., Canada and other works are retained by the family. [Kindly contributed by Lori & Arthur John (Jack) Monk, Jan 6, 2008] Editorial note: Jack Monk is the son of Margaret Burchett and the grandson of Arthur Burchett. |
