Henry Hudson Kitson
Encyclopedia
Sir Henry Hudson Kitson, often known as H. H. Kitson, American sculptor, born in Huddersfield
, England
on April 9, 1865 and died at Tyringham
, Massachusetts
, on June 26, 1947. His student and wife Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
was also a sculptor.
Harry, as he was known by his numererous brothers and sisters, migrated to the United States about 1880 where he was employed by his oldest brother John William Kitson
. William Kitson was in business with another Englishman Robert Ellin
; their firm, Ellin & Kitson
, were identified as architectural sculptors. They specialized in interior carving and wood work in commercial structures and churches. Some buildings they worked on were the Equitable Building, the Tilden Mansion, the Astor Memorial Redos and the William K. Vanderbilt House.
Harry and Samuel James Kitson
the next oldest brother were both employed by Ellin and Kitson doing sculptural work. According to family oral history, William now quite successful encouraged and financially provided for Harry Kitson to move to Paris where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
under the sculptor Jean-Marie Bonnassieux
. He returned to Boston about 1888 where he received numerous commissions and began teaching. John William Kitson died in 1888 (see NY Times) and Samuel James had relocated to Boston. The youngest brother Robert Lewellen Kitson a water-colorist joined his older brothers in Boston about 1902.
In 1893 Henry married Theo Alice Ruggles, a former student of his, who went on to have a successful career of her own as Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
. Theo and Harry had three children: Theo (called Babs), John, who became a civil engineer, and Dorothy. None of the children had issue. The noted sculptor Gaston Lachaise
worked in his atelier. Many of Henry Hudson Kitson papers are in the Archives of American Art
in Washington D.C. as well as the New York Historical Society. Kitson only carried a British passport.
He was the author of numerous public monuments, and left behind his home Santarella in Tyringham. The home, which Kitson modified extensively, was recently restored and now operates as a special events venue as well as providing overnight accommodation.
He was knighted by the Queen of Rumania in the early 1900s.
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on April 9, 1865 and died at Tyringham
Tyringham, Massachusetts
Tyringham is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 327 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, on June 26, 1947. His student and wife Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson , also known as Tho. A. R. Kitson, was an American sculptor.Kitson was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a young child she displayed artistic talent, but when her mother attempted to enroll her in the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, she was informed that she...
was also a sculptor.
Harry, as he was known by his numererous brothers and sisters, migrated to the United States about 1880 where he was employed by his oldest brother John William Kitson
John William Kitson
John William Kitson was an English-born architectural sculptor.-Early life:Kitson, the third child and the first born son of John McWhire and Emma Jaggar Kitson was born in 1846 in Berry Brow Huddersfield West Yorkshire England. He was sent to London at the age of 14 as an apprentice to learn the...
. William Kitson was in business with another Englishman Robert Ellin
Robert Ellin
Robert Ellin, a stone and wood sculptor, was active in the United States 1867 to 1904. He was most likely born in West Yorkshire about 1838. Not much is known about his life until his association with a fellow Englishman and Yorkshireman John William Kitson...
; their firm, Ellin & Kitson
Ellin & Kitson
Ellin & Kitson partnership was formed in New York City by two English Sculptors from Yorkshire England in early 1879. Prior to this date they were working as Robert Ellin Company. They advertised their business as ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTORS concentrating on churches.The elder was Robert Ellin born...
, were identified as architectural sculptors. They specialized in interior carving and wood work in commercial structures and churches. Some buildings they worked on were the Equitable Building, the Tilden Mansion, the Astor Memorial Redos and the William K. Vanderbilt House.
Harry and Samuel James Kitson
Samuel James Kitson
Samuel James Kitson was a fine arts sculptor active in the United States from about 1876 to 1906. He maintained studios in New York City and Boston, Massachusetts. Most of his statuary were executed in marble. Many were religious in nature. His work consisted of full body statues, head and...
the next oldest brother were both employed by Ellin and Kitson doing sculptural work. According to family oral history, William now quite successful encouraged and financially provided for Harry Kitson to move to Paris where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
under the sculptor Jean-Marie Bonnassieux
Jean-Marie Bonnassieux
Jean-Marie Bienaimé Bonnassieux was a French sculptor.The son of a cabinet maker from Lyon, Bonnassieux showed talent as a boy and was educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, under Augustin-Alexandre Dumont...
. He returned to Boston about 1888 where he received numerous commissions and began teaching. John William Kitson died in 1888 (see NY Times) and Samuel James had relocated to Boston. The youngest brother Robert Lewellen Kitson a water-colorist joined his older brothers in Boston about 1902.
In 1893 Henry married Theo Alice Ruggles, a former student of his, who went on to have a successful career of her own as Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson , also known as Tho. A. R. Kitson, was an American sculptor.Kitson was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a young child she displayed artistic talent, but when her mother attempted to enroll her in the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, she was informed that she...
. Theo and Harry had three children: Theo (called Babs), John, who became a civil engineer, and Dorothy. None of the children had issue. The noted sculptor Gaston Lachaise
Gaston Lachaise
Gaston Lachaise was an American sculptor of French birth, active in the early 20th century. A native of Paris, he was most noted for his female nudes such as Standing Woman.-Early life and education:...
worked in his atelier. Many of Henry Hudson Kitson papers are in the Archives of American Art
Archives of American Art
The Archives of American Art is the largest collection of primary resources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States. More than 16 million items of original material are housed in the Archives' research centers in Washington, D.C...
in Washington D.C. as well as the New York Historical Society. Kitson only carried a British passport.
He was the author of numerous public monuments, and left behind his home Santarella in Tyringham. The home, which Kitson modified extensively, was recently restored and now operates as a special events venue as well as providing overnight accommodation.
He was knighted by the Queen of Rumania in the early 1900s.
Selected works
- Vicksburg National Military ParkVicksburg National Military ParkVicksburg National Military Park preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from May 18 to July 4, 1863. The park, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Delta, Louisiana, also commemorates the greater Vicksburg Campaign, which preceded the battle. Reconstructed forts and...
- Confederate President Jefferson DavisJefferson DavisJefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
(statue) 1927 - Iowa Monument (six relief panels 1906 and equestrian statue 1912)
- Iowa Governor Samuel J. KirkwoodSamuel J. KirkwoodSamuel Jordan Kirkwood , was an American politician best known as Iowa's American Civil War Governor. He also served in the U.S. Senate and as U.S. Secretary of the Interior.-Early life and career:...
(bust) 1928 - Union Brig. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett (relief portrait) 1911
- Confederate Brig. Gen. Stephen D. LeeStephen D. LeeStephen Dill Lee was an American soldier, planter, legislator, and author. He was the youngest Confederate lieutenant general during the American Civil War, and later served as the first president of Mississippi A&M College...
(statue) 1909 (first chairman of the Vicksburg NMP Commission) - Union Maj. Gustavus Lightfoot (relief portrait) 1914
- Union Adm. David Glasgow Farragut (statue on Navy Monument) 1917
- Union Lt. William T. Rigby (bust) 1928 (Resident Commissioner of VNMP 1899-1929)
- Union Lt. Cmdr. Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr.Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr.Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr. , son of Thomas O. Selfridge, was an officer in the United States Navy.Born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Selfridge graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1854.-Civil War:...
(bust) 1913 - Confederate Maj. Gen. Martin L. Smith (bust) 1911
- Confederate President Jefferson Davis
- Boston area
- David FarragutDavid FarragutDavid Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
, Marine Park, South Boston, Massachusetts, 1881 - Minuteman Captain John Parker statue, Lexington, MassachusettsLexington, MassachusettsLexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
town green 1900 - Roger Conant statue at Salem, MassachusettsSalem, MassachusettsSalem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
1905 - Robert BurnsRobert BurnsRobert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
1920 Back Bay Fens, Boston. Relocated to Winthrop Square, Boston 1975 - Henry B. Endicott tablet, Boston, Massachusetts 1921
- The Pilgrim Maiden statue, Brewster GardensBrewster GardensBrewster Gardens is a park in Plymouth, Massachusetts, located in the center of town. The park runs along both sides of Town Brook from the nature trail at the headwaters of the brook, past Jenney Grist Mill, underneath the Market Street and Main Street Extension bridges to Water Street, across...
, Plymouth, Massachusetts 1922 - Sir Richard SaltonstallRichard SaltonstallSir Richard Saltonstall led a group of English settlers up the Charles River to settle in what is now Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630....
monument, Watertown, MassachusettsWatertown, MassachusettsThe Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census.- History :Archeological evidence suggests that Watertown was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from England...
1931
- David Farragut
- KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
- Lloyd Tilghman MemorialLloyd Tilghman MemorialThe Lloyd Tilghman Memorial is an historical statue located in Paducah Kentucky, honoring native son Lloyd Tilghman, a brigadier general for the Confederate States of America who died at the Battle of Champion Hill in May 1863....
in Paducah, KentuckyPaducah, KentuckyPaducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
- Lloyd Tilghman Memorial