Papers of Henry MacManus, Headmaster of Glasgow School of Art, 1844-1848
- Reference:GB 1694 GSAA/DIR/1
- Dates of Creation:1846
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:2 letters
Scope and Content
All that remains of MacManus' correspondence is two letters written to him by Charles Heath Wilson in 1846 while the latter was an Inspector at Somerset House, London.
Administrative / Biographical History
Henry MacManus (c 1810-1878) was born in County Monaghan, Ireland. He worked in London from
1837-1844 and was a Head Teacher at Somerset House, London before being appointed Headmaster
at the new Glasgow School of Design in 1844. The School was based at 16 Ingram Street and had
accommodation for 500 pupils.
MacManus resigned in 1848 due to problems with the Committee of Management and returned to
Dublin to become Headmaster of the Dublin School of Art, a position he held with great success
until 1862. His departure from Glasgow became something of a cause celebre in the local press
and art magazines, when the man responsible for him leaving, Charles Heath Wilson,
became the subsequent Headmaster.
MacManus, a painter, exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy, eventually being made the
Honorary Professor of Painting there. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1839-41, the
BI and the OWS. He painted historical scenes and scenes of Irish life. He also worked as a book
illustrator.
Little remains of MacManus' correspondence, just two letters written to MacManus by Charles
Heath Wilson while the latter was at the Department of Science and Art in Somerset House.
Other surviving records from this period include two letters from 1844 referring to the establishment
of a collection of casts.
Arrangement
The letters are in chronological order.
Access Information
Directors' papers which are over 30 years old are available for public consultation. Permission from the director is needed for access to those less than 30 years old.
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections standard procedures.