DURHAM, Mary Edith (1863-1944): sketchbooks - AIM25

Identity area

Reference code

GB 1446 MS 49

Title

DURHAM, Mary Edith (1863-1944): sketchbooks

Date(s)

c1899-1902 (Creation)

Extent and medium

1 box

Context area

Name of creator

Durham , Mary Edith , 1863-1944 , Balkan traveller and author

Biographical history

Mary Edith Durham born in London on 8 December 1863; educated at Bedford College, 1878-1882; became an artist, and trained at the Royal Academy Schools. Following illness and at nearly forty years old she travelled to the Balkans and worked as a political missionary. She first visited the area in 1900 in search of health and was an anthropologist as well as a gifted artist. She travelled to the Balkans annually from 1900 to 1914. When uprisings occurred, in 1903 and 1909, she provided medical aid and food. Durham was offered a permanent home in Albania by the Albanian Government. She refused, choosing to remain independent and settled in London writing books and articles. She died in London on 15 November 1944.

Repository

Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland

Archival history

GB 1446 MS 49 c1899-1902 Collection level 1 box Durham , Mary Edith , 1863-1944 , Balkan traveller and author

Mary Edith Durham born in London on 8 December 1863; educated at Bedford College, 1878-1882; became an artist, and trained at the Royal Academy Schools. Following illness and at nearly forty years old she travelled to the Balkans and worked as a political missionary. She first visited the area in 1900 in search of health and was an anthropologist as well as a gifted artist. She travelled to the Balkans annually from 1900 to 1914. When uprisings occurred, in 1903 and 1909, she provided medical aid and food. Durham was offered a permanent home in Albania by the Albanian Government. She refused, choosing to remain independent and settled in London writing books and articles. She died in London on 15 November 1944.

Unknown.

Papers of Mary Edith Durham, c 1899-1902, comprise six sketch books including pencil and watercolour drawings of coastal scenes and of local people and rural scenes including farms and cattle; areas depicted include Trieste, Viterbo and Nivica.

Arranged in original order.

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English

Hand list available in the Institute's Reading Room.

Entry compiled by Samantha Velumyl.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

May 2008 Albania Anthropology Durham , Mary Edith , 1863-1944 , traveller and anthropologist Eastern Europe Europe Fine arts Italy Nivica Painting Rural areas Trieste Viterbo Watercolour painting Western Europe

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Unknown.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of Mary Edith Durham, c 1899-1902, comprise six sketch books including pencil and watercolour drawings of coastal scenes and of local people and rural scenes including farms and cattle; areas depicted include Trieste, Viterbo and Nivica.

System of arrangement

Arranged in original order.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access