Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898

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Aubrey Vincent Beardsley was born on August 21, 1872, in Sussex, England, the son of Vincent Paul Beardsley (c. 1840-1909), and Ellen Agnus (1846-1932). At the age of seven, Beardsley was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a disease that would plague him for the remainder of his life. In 1888, Beardsley worked as a clerk in London. His artistic aspirations led him to enroll in the Westminster School of Art, beginning in 1891.

Following his artistic training, Beardsley began illustrating for art journals. His intricate drawing style was well captured by the hard surface of metal engraving blocks, which were a recently-introduced printing technology. His work was noticed by J. M. Dent, who asked him to illustrate a new publication of Malory's Morte d'Arthur. Beardsley went on to illustrate several other literary publications including Oscar Wilde's Salome (1894), Alexander Pope's Rape of the Lock (1896), Aristophanes' Lysistrata (1896), and Ben Jonson's Volpone (1898). The controversial nature of some of his illustrations, combined with his decadent social life, drew much critical speculation about his own personal lifestyle. In 1897, in the face of his declining physical health and at the urging of his sister, Beardsley converted to Roman Catholicism and subsequently demanded that his friends and family destroy his drawings. His demands were ignored and his work was preserved.

Aubrey Beardsley died of tuberculosis on March 16, 1898, at age twenty-five.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Wood, Trist, d. 1952. Trist Wood papers, 1808-1952 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. "Aubrey Beardsley's school days", 1920. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Beerbohm, Max, Sir, 1872-1956. Letter, 1922 Aug. 20 : Rapallo, Italy, to John Lane, London. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Oscar Wilde and his Literary Circle Collection: Manuscripts and Miscellaneous Materials, 1854-1962 William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Proofs of Aubrey Beardsley plates from The Savoy. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Aubrey Beardsley Papers and Notes, 1960s-1970s Arizona State University Libraries Special Collections
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Aubrey Beardsley collection, 1890s and undated. Boston College. John J. Burns Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey Vincent. [Aubrey Vincent Beardsley] : artist file John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library, Ringling Museum Library
referencedIn Oscar Wilde and his Literary Circle Collection: Wildeiana, 1858-1998 William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Correspondence of Aubrey Beardsley, 1895-1898. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Max Beerbohm papers, ca. 1882-1949. Houghton Library
referencedIn Harvard Art Museum. Exhibition Records, 1905-2008 Harvard Art Museums. Archives
creatorOf Aubrey Beardsley Collection, 1890-1946 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special CollectionsManuscripts Division
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. [Letter, 1897 Aug. 25] Hotel des Etrangers, Dieppe [to] My dear Smithers / A. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Haldane MacFall letter Archives of American Art
referencedIn Rothenstein, William, Sir, 1872-1945. Letters, 1907-1940, Hampstead, Cambridge, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, to Holbrook Jackson. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Drawing, 1885? Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Karl Jacoby collection of printed works by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, 1891-1945. Houghton Library
creatorOf Aubrey Beardsley collection, 1878-1964 Reading University : Special Collections Services
referencedIn Symons, Arthur, 1865-1945. Aubrey Beardsley : n.p. : ms. S, [undated]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Correspondence and journals of Henry James Jr, 1855-1916 . Houghton Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Autograph letter signed : London, to Arthur Symons, 1895 July 30. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Art Poster File, [1890]-1910, (bulk 1895-1896) New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Collection, 1893-1959, (bulk 1893-98 and 1943-59). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Pennell, Joseph, 1857-1926. Postscript : AMsS, 1919 Apr. [no day]. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Aubrey Beardsley prospectus for The Savoy and advertisements, 1895-1897. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Aubrey Beardsley collection of papers, 1893]-1898 The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.
creatorOf John Lane Company. Records of the John Lane Company, 1856-1933 (bulk, 1894-1930). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Aubrey Beardsley collection (C0056) : complete list of drawings/illustrations. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. [Girl and a Bookshop] [graphic] / [Aubrey Beardsley]. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Fred A. Rosenstock autograph collection L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Clark, Kenneth, 1903-1983. Aubrey Beardsley : lecture typescript, 1965 / Kenneth Clark. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. The three musicians : manuscript, [ca. 1896] Houghton Library
referencedIn Mix, Katherine Lyon. Letters received concerning The Yellow book, 1930-1960. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Macfall, Haldane, 1860-1928. Letter, 1927 Mar. 1 : London, to "Dear Williamson." Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Douglas and Marie Immaculée Acton Woodruff Family Papers Boston College. John J. Burns Library
creatorOf MS Mus. 930. O’Neill Papers. Vol. i. Letters to Norman O’Neill and letters to Adine O’Neill née Rückert from Norman O’Neill; circa 1896-1927.ff. 136. 325 x 280mm.1. ff. 1-6. Two letters from Adine Rückert to Norman O’Neill; 1897, 1899.2. ff. 7-8..., 1885-1927 British Library
referencedIn Backhouse, E. (Edmund), Sir, 1873-1944. Memoirs [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Macfall, Haldane, 1860-1928. Letter : London, to "Dear Walker," 1922 Mar. 29. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Aubrey Beardsley collection, 1890-1946. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Baldry, A. L. (Alfred Lys), 1858-1939. Letter, 1919 Oct. 16 : Marlow, Bucks, to Haldane Macfall. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Smithers, Leonard C. (Leonard Charles), 1861-1907. Letter and typescript letter signed from Leonard C. Smithers, London, to Augustin Daly [manuscript], 1897. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Autograph letters and other material by Aubrey Beardsley, with other items relating to him. Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
referencedIn Autograph File, B, ca.1500-1982 Houghton Library
referencedIn J.M. Dent & Sons records University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Aubrey Beardsley collection, 1878-1964 Reading University : Special Collections Services
referencedIn Beardsley, Aubrey Vincent, 1872-1898 : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Macfall, Haldane, 1860-1928. Letters, 1926-1927, London, to Arthur Symons. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Sir William Rothenstein correspondence and other papers, 1887-1957. Houghton Library
creatorOf Boston College collection of Aubrey Beardsley Boston College. John J. Burns Library
referencedIn Macfall, Haldane, 1860-1928. [Life of Aubrey Beardsley]. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Derry, Georges, 1886-. Letters, 1919 Sept. 15-Nov.1, London and Kendal, to Millard. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Autograph letters and other material by Aubrey Beardsley, with other items relating to him, 1892-1898 GB 206 Leeds University Library
referencedIn Emmett, Burton, 1871-1935. Burton Emmett papers, 1888-1939. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Vol. CXV. 1896-1901.Percy Sholto Douglas, 10th Marquess of Queensberry; brother of Lord Alfred Douglas: Very Reverend Archibald Edward Douglas, brother of John, 9th Marquess of Queensberry: Letters to Percy Sholto Douglas from Very Rev. Archibald Edw..., 1896-1901 British Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Christmas card, ca. 1884. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Under the hill : a romantic novel : AMsS, [1896?] / by Aubrey Beardsley with his illustrations & ornaments. Chaps. I-V. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Letter : Spread Eagle Hotel, Epsom, England, to Leonard Smithers, 1896 Aug. 16. Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Aubrey Beardsley collection of papers, [1893]-1898. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Eccles Bequest. Vol. CLXXXIX, B. Lithographic portraits of Aubrey Beardsley, Charles Shannon and William Rothenstein, possibly proofs for Liber Juniorum; 1897-1898.Aubrey Beardsley, draughtsman and writer: Sir William Rothenstein, Principal, Royal Co..., 1897-1898 British Library
referencedIn Photograph albums, ca. 1865-1895. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Letter : Spread Eagle Hotel, Epsom, England, to Leonard Smithers MS 0001., 1896 Aug. 16. Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections
referencedIn Salerno, Nicholas A. Nicholas A. Salerno collection, 1977-[ongoing]. Arizona State University Libraries
referencedIn Rosamond B. Loring collection of printed endpapers, 1900-1950 (inclusive), 1920-1941 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Aubrey Vincent Beardsley letter to Leonard Smithers, 1896. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Letter, 1897 Dec. 26 : Menton, [France], to "My dear Smithers." Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn James Lewis May Papers, 1814-1963, (bulk 1926-1940) William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA
referencedIn Eccles Bequest. Vol. CLII. Miscellaneous financial papers of George Bernard Shaw and R. A. Walker; 1898-1922, n.d. Mostly autograph.Aubrey Beardsley, draughtsman and writer: Invoice to R. A. Walker from Artists Illustrators Ltd for a Beardsley print:..., 1898-1922 British Library
referencedIn Symons, Arthur, 1865-1945. Papers, ca.[1890-1945?] University of Arizona Libraries
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to his sister Mabel, 1895-1896. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Beardsley, Aubrey Vincent. [Aubrey Vincent Beardsley] : artist file John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library, Ringling Museum Library
creatorOf Martin Birnbaum papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Burns, Philip S. Papers, 1990-2001, undated, (bulk 1996-1998). University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn John Lane Company Records TXRC00-A11., 1856-1933, bulk 1894-1930 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Evans, Frederick H. Letters, 1909 Nov. 19 and 1919 Nov. 16, London, to Haldane Macfall. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Dan H. Laurence Collection. Arms and the man / by Bernard Shaw - program for production at the Avenue Theatre, London, April 21, 1894. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Eccles Bequest. Vol. CLVIII. Newspaper articles, reviews and other promotional material relating to the following; 1894-1912. Mostly printed.1. Maud Allen; 1918.2. Aubrey Beardsley; 1894-[1918].3. Max Beerbohm; 1948, 1964.4. W. G. Blaikie Murdoch; 19..., 1894-2000 British Library
referencedIn Albert Stephens Borgman autograph collection, 1600-1950. Houghton Library
referencedIn Derry, Georges, 1886-1960. R. A. Walker papers, 1930-1936. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Derry, Georges, 1886-. Cards and letters : London, to Haldane Macfall, 1919-1920. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Demachy, Robert. Letter : to Frederick Evans, ca. 1905. Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Eccles Bequest. Vol. CLXXX. Photographs of the following, with some caricatures; 1886-1912, n.d1. Aubrey Beardsley; 1897.2. Ellen Agnes Beardsley; n.d.3. Max Beerbohm; 1893, [1897], n.d. Includes photograph of Beerbohm and William Rothenstein. By Gil..., 1879-1912 British Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Under the hill : AMs fragment, [1896?]. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Boucicault Family papers, 1841-1902 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Miriam J. Benkovitz Papers, 1954-1986. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS AND PAPERS; 14th cent.-1961. Paper and (article B) vellum; ff. 177. Folio. A. '4e Duo pour Alto et Violoncelle par François [Franz] Danzi' (ff. 1, 5); circa 1802. Parts. Three other duos for viola and 'cello by Danzi published Z..., 1300-1961 British Library
referencedIn Dowson, Ernest Christopher, 1867-1900. Autograph letter signed : Paris, to Leonard Smithers, 1896 Apr. 19. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Aubrey Beardsley Collection TXRC94-A8., 1893-1959 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Note, book plate, and envelope, 1898. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898. Miscellaneous works by Aubrey Beardsley, 1949-1968. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Oscar Wilde and his Literary Circle Collection: Correspondence, 1819, 1849-1957, 1962 William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA
referencedIn Vol. CXIX. 1912-1913.Robert Baldwin Ross, literary executor of Oscar Wilde: Lilias Margaret Frances Bathurst, wife of Seymour, 7th Earl Bathurst: Letter, etc., to Robert Baldwin Ross from Lilias Margaret Frances Bathurst: 1912: Signed.T. Werner Lauri..., 1912-1913 British Library
creatorOf Eccles Bequest. Vol. XCVI. Correspondence of Robert Baldwin Ross with the following; 1885-1915, n.d. Partly typewritten.1. Mary Charles Jones; 1885-1919, n.d.2. Aubrey V. Beardsley; 1892-1893, n.d.3. Ellen Beardsley; 1893-1898. n.d.4. Mabel Beardsley..., 1885-1919 British Library
creatorOf Rorem, Ned, 1923-. On the burial of his brother / [music by] Ned Rorem ; [text by] Catullus ; [translated by] Aubrey Beardsley. New York Public Library System, NYPL
Role Title Holding Repository

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Relation Name
associatedWith Ashworth, John Henry. person
associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton O. (Barton Orville), 1860-1933 person
associatedWith Backhouse, E. (Edmund), Sir, 1873-1944. person
associatedWith Baldry, A. L. (Alfred Lys), 1858-1939. person
childOf Beardsley, Ellen. person
memberOf Beardsley family family
relativeOf Beardsley, Mabel, person
associatedWith Beerbohm, Max, Sir, 1872-1956 person
associatedWith Benkovitz, Miriam J. person
associatedWith Birnbaum, Martin, 1878-1970. person
associatedWith Borgman, Albert Stephens, 1890-1954 person
associatedWith Boucicault family family
associatedWith Burnett, Frances Hodgson, 1849-1924 person
associatedWith Burns, Philip S. person
associatedWith Clark, Kenneth, 1903-1983. person
associatedWith Congreve, William, 1670-1729. person
associatedWith Custance, Olive, 1874-1944. person
associatedWith Demachy, Robert. person
associatedWith Derry, Georges, 1886-1960. person
associatedWith Dowson, Ernest Christopher, 1867-1900. person
associatedWith Emmett, Burton, 1871-1935. person
associatedWith Evans, Frederick H. person
associatedWith Gallatin, A. E. (Albert Eugene), 1881-1952. person
associatedWith Gray John 1866-1934 person
associatedWith Harland, Henry, 1861-1905. person
associatedWith Haworth, Richard person
associatedWith Howe, W. T. H. (William Thomas Hildrup), person
associatedWith Jacoby, Karl, collector. person
correspondedWith James, Henry, 1843-1916 person
associatedWith J.M. Dent & Sons. corporateBody
associatedWith John Lane Company corporateBody
associatedWith Loring, Rosamund B. (Rosamond Bowditch), 1889-1950 person
associatedWith Macfall, Haldane, 1860-1928. person
associatedWith May, J. Lewis (James Lewis), b. 1873 person
associatedWith Mix, Katherine Lyon. person
associatedWith Muir, Percy H. (Percy Horace), 1894-1979 person
associatedWith Pennell, Joseph, 1857-1926. person
associatedWith Pollitt, Herbert Charles Jerome, 1871-1942 person
associatedWith Purchas, H. T. (Henry Thomas) person
associatedWith Raffalovich, André, 1864-1934. person
associatedWith Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915- person
associatedWith Rorem, Ned, 1923- person
associatedWith Rosenstock, Fred A., b. 1895 person
associatedWith Rothenstein, William, Sir, 1872-1945. person
associatedWith Salerno, Nicholas A. person
associatedWith Severn, A.G.M. person
associatedWith Smithers, Leonard C. 1861-1907, person
associatedWith Symons, A. J. A. (Alphonse James Albert), 1900-1941 person
associatedWith Symons, Arthur, 1865-1945, person
associatedWith Unwin, T. Fisher (Thomas Fisher), 1848-1935. person
associatedWith Walker, R. A. (Rainforth Armitage), 1886- person
associatedWith Woodruff, Douglas, 1897-1978 person
associatedWith Wood, Trist, d. 1952. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
England ENG GB
London ENG GB
Subject
Art
Artists
Artists England
Art nouveau
Authors, English
Christmas cards
English literature
Illustrators
Illustrators, English
Letters
Letters 19th century
Raffalovich, André
Occupation
Artists
Graphic artists
Illustrators
Activity

Person

Birth 1872-08-21

Death 1898-03-16

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