The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

July 12, 2013

July 12, 1988

Julian Trevelyan (February 20, 1910 to July 12, 1988) described his art as surrealism. Like many artists, he also taught art; in his case one of his students was David Hockney. His family came from English academicians and writers, and his first wife was the potter Ursula Darwin, great granddaughter of Charles Darwin. 

According to an article by  Andrew Lambirth (18 May 2013, probably in The Telegraph):

The Trevelyan family was well-connected and highly civilised. Julian’s father was a classical scholar, poet and essayist, and to his house near Leith Hill in Surrey came a wide range of guests, including the philosophers G E Moore and Bertrand Russell, and the writers Lytton Strachey and Bernard Berenson. When, aged 20, Julian announced to his family his plan to study art in Paris, his uncle, the noted historian G M Trevelyan, remarked: “I do hope you’re not going to meet one of those Matisses or Picassos.” Of course, that is what happened.

 Here is some of Julian Trevelyan's art:

"Cat and Guitar"





and his coloured etching and aquatint, "Me and my Cats " (1978). 


Julian Trevelyan did not just inherit creativity. In 1935 he purchased "Durham's Wharf" which would be his home, on the Thames River, for over 50 years.  It became a famous part of the English cultural world. Here are some paintings he did of his home. The first is titled "Snow at Durham's Wharf."




and this also comes up in a search for Durham's Wharf:



Cats were obviously an integral part of home for Julian Trevelyan.

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