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William Edward Trevithick

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William Edward Trevithick (1899 Kells, County Meath - 1958) was an Irish botanical illustrator who contributed some 60 botanical plates to Curtis’s Botanical Magazine. Belvoir Castle Trevithick was born while his father, William Edward Roberts Trevithick (1858–1929), was a gardener to Lord Headfort in his great estate near Kells. W. E. R. Trevithick was head gardener from 1912 to 1929 and established Headfort's arboretum.[1] The younger William Edward Trevithick was a gardener at Headfort House from the age of 13, followed by employment at Belvoir Castle, next at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, and finally (beginning in 1920) at Kew, where he worked in the herbarium. He eventually left his position at Kew and became a commercial artist.[2][3][4]

Trevithick produced illustrations for Flora of West Tropical Africa by John Hutchinson and John McEwen Dalziel, Flora Malesiana, and Curtis's Botanical Magazine.[2]

He served in World War I, later worked as a commercial artist after starting his own advertising company in the 1930s. His artwork was for Rolls-Royce and C.C. Wakefield and Co Ltd., the latter producing Castrol motor oil. His work featured on the covers of Flight International Magazine and Airplane. Being an enthusiastic aviator, he qualified as a pilot and became a member of the Royal Aero Club.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Desmond, Ray (25 February 1994). "Trevithick, William Edward Roberts (1858–1929)". Dictionary of British and Irish Botanists and Horticulturists Including plant collectors, flower painters and garden designers. CRC Press. p. 691. ISBN 9780850668438.
  2. ^ a b Desmond, Ray (25 February 1994). "Trevithick, William Edward (1899–1958)". Dictionary of British and Irish Botanists and Horticulturists Including plant collectors, flower painters and garden designers. p. 691.
  3. ^ "Irish Society of Botanical Artists Archives".
  4. ^ "William Edward Trevithick, British 1899-1958- Castrol Wakefield - Castrol Swanshot Gear Oil; gouache with white opaque and air brushing on paper, 34x54cm: Together with two others by the same artist- Rolls-Royce twin-engined plane, & Rolls-Royce 'Peregrin' Engine; gouache/Collage with white opaque and air brushing on artist's board, 54.7x38.1cm ea., (3) (Unframed) (May be subject to Droit de Suite) Provenance: Gifted to the present owner by the artist's widow Bessie Trevithick - Price Estimate: £300 - £500".
  5. ^ "Rosebery's Auctions London".
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