Heyneman, Julie Helen

Biography

Julie Helen Heyneman, artist and writer, was born in San Francisco, September 5, 1868. In 1891 she went abroad to study art in Paris and London. Her funds being limited, she earned money by writing and illustrating articles for various San Francisco newspapers under the pen name Van Dyck Brown. In 1892 she became a pupil of John Singer Sargent, the noted portrait painter, and remained a life long friend.

In 1915 Miss Heyneman founded the California House for disabled Belgian soldiers, the first institution to give occupational training to maimed soldiers who were still in hospitals. The House was maintained by voluntary contributions, principally from California subscribers. Bruce Porter acted as San Francisco agent for the House during most of its existence. In 1917 the British Red Cross, with the help of Miss Heyneman, started the Kitchener Houses for wounded British soldiers, utilizing techniques developed in California House.

Miss Heyneman pursued her dual careers, writing and painting, concurrently. She also divided her life between London and San Francisco. Her portraits of well known people gained considerable recognition, particularly in London. Her published works include the biography, Arthur Putnam, Sculptor; Woman at the Crossroads, a survey of woman's post-war position, written in collaboration with Mary S. Allen; and Headline Stuff, a novel dealing with yellow journalism.

From the guide to the Julie Helen Heyneman papers, 1886-1942, (The Bancroft Library.)