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Edwin Young Gallery
The Edwin Young Gallery is at the core of the collections held at the Salisbury Art Gallery as it was Young's gift that established the original gallery housed in Chipper Lane Library from 1915.
One of ten children, born the son of a Salisbury cobbler, Edwin Young’s early career was as a surveyor and accountant shows that he was able to progress into the ranks of the professional classes. Part of his life remains a mystery as he is not listed in the census with the rest of his family in 1851. However it was after this date that his career as an artist flourished as he was now of independent means. How this came about is unknown.
This change of circumstance allowed him to devote his life to the arts and good works. The latter is demonstrated by his involvement in the foundation of the Salisbury Church of England Church School Institute in 1869. He was also secretary to the Salisbury Literary and Scientific Institution from 1864.
Young is best know for his prolific artistic work: watercolour paintings and poetry. His paintings were first exhibited at the Bath and West of England Show, held in Salisbury in 1866. The acclaim he gained here resulted in his works being included in exhibitions across Wessex from this date.
Pencil drawing, young man sititng on a bench. © Edwin Young Trust
Cover from Young's 'An Illustrated Essay on Salisbury Cathedral'. © Edwin Young Trust
The basis of the collection held at Salisbury Library today is Young’s 1912 bequest of 200 of his works to the City along with an art gallery, originally in Chipper Lane. Before his death in 1913 he gave further artworks to the City.
The first Edwin Young Gallery opened in 1915, two years after his death. As the funds bequeathed quickly ran short the gallery was taken over by the Town Council and latterly by the County Council. It is now housed at the Salisbury Library and Art Gallery.
Drawing of a river and boating scene. © Edwin Young Trust
Contact Details
By Post
Wiltshire Libraries & Heritage HQ
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8BS
By Email
libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713727
By Fax
01225 713993
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
