Scott, William Bell, 1811-1890

British painter and poet.

Scott was a poet, painter, and art critic. He was a friend of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and was accepted by the Pre-Raphaelites.

British poet of the Victorian era.

William Bell Scott was born in Edinburgh; he was taught engraving by his father, but aspired for a career as a poet and painter. He began publishing poetry in local newspapers, and made his way to London, where he became a member of London's literary circle. He continued publishing poetry, in addition to a large and eclectic output as painter, engraver, editor, and critic. He is remembered more for his diverse output and literary friendships than any singular achievement.

Scotch artist and poet.

Scottish poet and painter.

William Bell Scott (1811-1890) was born in Edinburgh, the son of the engraver Robert Scott, and initially trained in his father's profession, but from an early age was drawn to the writing of poetry. He migrated to London in 1837, where he turned to historical painting, and gained many friends and acquaintances in literary and artistic circles. In 1839 he married Letitia Margery Norquoy, and in 1843 accepted the post of head master of the School of Design in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he lived until his retirement and return to London in 1864.

While in Newcastle Scott was befriended by Pauline, Lady Trevelyan, and commissioned to paint the major work of his artistic career, the decoration of the hall at Wallington (Northumberland), including eight large panels depicting Northumbrian history. After his return to London, he was commissioned to do part of the decoration of the South Kensington Museum, and he continued to paint and exhibit, and to contribute regularly to periodicals such as The Academy and the Athenaeum . He published five volumes of poetry, a number of works on art, and contributed editorial matter and illustrations to editions of the Romantic poets. His Autobiographical notes, published posthumously, aroused much controversy because of his adverse comments on some of his associates.

Scott's poem, The year of the world, published in 1846, aroused the enthusiasm of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and he became a close friend of the Rossetti family, including Dante Gabriel's brother William Michael Rossetti (1829-1919), the recipient of these letters. In 1872 Dante Gabriel Rossetti suffered a severe breakdown, followed by attempted suicide, and Scott was intimately involved in this crisis. Scott's marriage was not a satisfactory one, and in 1859 he formed a relationship with Alice Boyd. This lasted until his death, while preserving the facade of his marriage. In 1864 Alice Boyd inherited Penkill Castle in Ayrshire, and thereafter the Scotts regularly spent the summer at Penkill, while Alice lived as their guest in London for the rest of the year.