Caffin, Charles H. (Charles Henry), 1854-1918

American author and art critic; b. in England; moved to Chicago in 1892 and to New York, 1897, where he became art critic of Harper's Weekly, New York Sun, and other publications.

From the description of Charles Caffin review of Marsden Hartley, 1917 Jan. 29. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 308679374

Charles Henry Caffin (1854-1918) was an art critic from New York, N.Y.

Charles Caffin was an early supporter of the Photo-Secessionists and modern art. Born in England, trained at Oxford, he came to the U.S. in 1892. He was primarily a journalist, writing and contributing to many publications, including "Camera Work." Caffin wrote many books about art, drama, and dance, including "Photography as Fine Art" (1901), "American Masters of Painting" (1902), "How to Study Pictures" (1905), and "Art for Life's Sake" (1913).

From the description of Charles Henry Caffin papers, circa 1883-1973, bulk 1883-1918. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 430379983

Art critic; New York, N.Y.; b. 1854; d. 1918

Caffin was an early supporter of the Photo-Secessionists and modern art. Born in England, trained at Oxford, he came to the U.S. in 1892. He was primarily a journalist, writing and contributing to many publications, including CAMERA WORK. He wrote several books, including PHOTOGRAPHY AS A FINE ART (1901) and THE APPRECIATION OF DRAMA (1908).

From the description of Charles Henry Caffin papers, ca. 1883-1973. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84169988

Charles Henry Caffin was born in 1854 in England. After graduating from Oxford University, Caffin served as stage manager for outdoor productions with Ben Greet and His Shakespearean Players. During this time, he met actress Caroline Scurfield, whom he later married and had two daughters, Freda and Donna. Caffin moved to United States in 1892 where he began to write about art, drama, and dance. He was an early supporter of the Photo-Secessionists and American modern art.

Initially, Caffin worked for several years executing murals from designs prepared by other artists for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the new Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter, however, he began writing for Alfred Stieglitz's Camera Notes and later Camera Work . He moved to the New York City area and worked as a critic for the New York Evening Post, New York Sun, and later for the New York American . Caffin wrote many books about art, drama, and dance, including Photography as Fine Art (1901), American Masters of Painting (1902), How to Study Pictures (1905), and Art for Life's Sake (1913).

Charles Caffin died in 1918.

From the guide to the Charles Henry Caffin papers, circa 1883-1973, bulk 1883-1918, (Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution)