John Henry Middleton
Encyclopedia
John Henry Middleton was an archaeologist and a museum director.
and Maria Margaret, daughter of James Pigott Pritchett
and his first wife, Peggy Maria Terry. As a child he travelled to Italy where his was initially educated. He acquired a love for Italy and its language, which lasted throughout his life. On returning to Britain his parents settled in Cheltenham, where his father practised as an architect and where he attended Cheltenham College. In 1865 he was matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford. The following year, however, he suffered a severe depression accentuated by the sudden death of a close friend at Oxford. This led to him confining himself to his room for six years. During this time, through reading and study he laid the foundations of an amazing knowledge of art and archaeology.
. His vast knowledge became well known and brought him many friends including William Morris
, with whom Middleton travelled in Iceland. In 1879 he was elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
, and was a frequent contributor to their publications; in 1894 he was elected as vice-president of the society. He also contributed to the 9th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. In 1885 he published his book Ancient Rome, looking at antiquities of Rome, which was followed in 1892 by the Remains of Ancient Rome. From 1886 to 1892 he was Slade
professor of fine art at Cambridge. He was given an honorary MA degree at Cambridge in 1886, and in 1887 one from Oxford, followed by a Litt.D. at Cambridge in 1893 and a DCL at Oxford in 1894. He was also honoured with a doctor's degree at the University of Bologna and in 1888 elected a fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
in Cambridge. As director, he was able to show his knowledge and produced the catalogue Engraved Gems of Classical Times in 1891, Illuminated MSS of Classical and Mediaeval Times in 1892 as well as a catalogue of The Lewis Collection of Gems. Middleton was also appointed as lecturer at the Royal Academy. In 1892 he married Bella Stillman, they had one child. Also in 1892 he was appointed Director of the art collections of the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum
), at the time the department was in need of reform and reorganisation. He brought in several necessary reforms, but the difficult work coupled with his life-long depression and drug addiction, increased his despondency and drug use. He accidentally overdosed on morphia at the age of 49 and died on 10 June 1896.
Early years
Born in York on 5 October 1846, John Henry Middleton was the only surviving child of John MiddletonJohn Middleton (architect)
John Middleton was an English architect of the 19th century. He was born in York, in August 1820.-Career:Though only 24, in August 1844 Middleton gained his first contract and was asked to design Cleveland Lodge, an impressive mansion situated directly beneath Roseberry Topping...
and Maria Margaret, daughter of James Pigott Pritchett
James Pigott Pritchett
James Pigott Pritchett was an architect of London and York whose practice stretched from Lincolnshire to the Scottish borders.-Personal life:...
and his first wife, Peggy Maria Terry. As a child he travelled to Italy where his was initially educated. He acquired a love for Italy and its language, which lasted throughout his life. On returning to Britain his parents settled in Cheltenham, where his father practised as an architect and where he attended Cheltenham College. In 1865 he was matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford. The following year, however, he suffered a severe depression accentuated by the sudden death of a close friend at Oxford. This led to him confining himself to his room for six years. During this time, through reading and study he laid the foundations of an amazing knowledge of art and archaeology.
Travels
On his recovery, Middleton began a series of adventurous journeys around the world. He visited America, crossing it to Salt Lake City and the Rocky Mountains, and travelling into Mexico. He travelled in Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt and north Africa. He undertook a special journey to Fez in Morocco to study the philosophy of Plato as taught there, while there he secured entrance to the Great Mosque by posing as an Islamic pilgrim.Architect
When he returned to Britain he adopted the profession of an architect and apprenticed in the office of Sir George Gilbert Scott, and then as a partner in his father's business at Storey's Gate, Westminster. After his father's death in 1885 he liquidated the firm and began life as a professional archaeologist.Art and archaeology
Middleton never ceased to pursue his favourite studies of art and archaeology, and even went through a course in the schools of the Royal AcademyRoyal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. His vast knowledge became well known and brought him many friends including William Morris
William Morris
William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
, with whom Middleton travelled in Iceland. In 1879 he was elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
, and was a frequent contributor to their publications; in 1894 he was elected as vice-president of the society. He also contributed to the 9th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. In 1885 he published his book Ancient Rome, looking at antiquities of Rome, which was followed in 1892 by the Remains of Ancient Rome. From 1886 to 1892 he was Slade
Slade Professor of Fine Art
The Slade Professorship of Fine Art is the oldest professorship of art at the universities of Cambridge, Oxford and London.-History:The chairs were founded concurrently in 1869 by a bequest from the art collector and philanthropist Felix Slade, with studentships also created in the University of...
professor of fine art at Cambridge. He was given an honorary MA degree at Cambridge in 1886, and in 1887 one from Oxford, followed by a Litt.D. at Cambridge in 1893 and a DCL at Oxford in 1894. He was also honoured with a doctor's degree at the University of Bologna and in 1888 elected a fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
Museum director
In 1889 Middleton was named Director of the Fitzwilliam MuseumFitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. Admission is free....
in Cambridge. As director, he was able to show his knowledge and produced the catalogue Engraved Gems of Classical Times in 1891, Illuminated MSS of Classical and Mediaeval Times in 1892 as well as a catalogue of The Lewis Collection of Gems. Middleton was also appointed as lecturer at the Royal Academy. In 1892 he married Bella Stillman, they had one child. Also in 1892 he was appointed Director of the art collections of the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
), at the time the department was in need of reform and reorganisation. He brought in several necessary reforms, but the difficult work coupled with his life-long depression and drug addiction, increased his despondency and drug use. He accidentally overdosed on morphia at the age of 49 and died on 10 June 1896.