Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morgan, Alice Mary

1334801Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 39 — Morgan, Alice Mary1894Lionel Henry Cust

MORGAN, Mrs. ALICE MARY (1850–1890), painter, whose maiden name was Havers, was born in 1850. She was third daughter of Thomas Havers, esq., of Thelton Hall, Norfolk, where the family had been seated for many generations. As her father held the appointment of manager of the Falkland Islands, Miss Havers was brought up with her family first in those islands, and later at Montevideo. On her father's death in 1870she returned to England and entered the school of art at South Kensington, where she gained a free studentship in the first year. In April 1872 Miss Havers married Mr. Frederick Morgan, an artist, but she always continued to be known professionally under her maiden name. She first exhibited at the Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street, and in 1873 for the first time at the Royal Academy, She quickly obtained success and popularity, and her pictures were always given good places at the various exhibitions to which she contributed. One of her early pictures, 'Ought and carry one,' was purchased by the queen, and has been engraved. In 1888 she removed to Paris with her children, in order to be under the influence of the modern French school of painting. In 1889 she exhibited at the Salon two pictures, one of which (exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1888), 'And Mary kept all these sayings in her heart,' attracted much attention and was honourably commended. Her career was, however, cut short by her sudden death, at her residence in Marlborough Road, St. John's Wood, London, on 26 Aug. 1890. She left two sons and one daughter. Miss Havers was an industrious worker, and executed many kinds of tasteful art-illustration. She illustrated some of the stories written by her sister, Mrs. Boulger, better known under her pseudonym of 'Theo. Gift.'

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L. C.