Skip to product information
William Burrell
£20.00
William Burrell—A Collector's Life
The man who gave Glasgow its greatest treasure — a life of obsession and remarkable taste
Access Your Content in Seconds
- Complete your purchase on our store.
- Download The Grey Hill App (free).
- Log in using the same email from checkout.
- Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.
All content is securely delivered through our app and not offered as a Shopify download.
About the Ebook
In 1944, Glasgow received one of the greatest gifts ever made to any city in the world: a collection of over 6,000 artworks of many types spanning centuries and civilisations. The benefactors were Glasgow-born shipping magnate Sir William Burrell and Constance, Lady Burrell.
Burrell's business success him to amass an extraordinary collection, which he housed in the family home at Hutton Castle in the Scottish borders. When he decided to leave the collection to the nation, he considered donating it to London-based galleries before deciding on Glasgow Corporation, together with the residue of his estate to provide a suitable building. It was many years before the right location was found, and The Burrell Collection finally opened in 1983.
This new biography is based on recent research, full access to the Burrell archive and in-depth knowledge of the collection. Sir William was a complicated and private man who shunned publicity, adored his wife, but had a tumultuous relationship with his daughter. In politics Conservative, he campaigned for better housing conditions as long as this didn't cause further expense to the taxpayer. The authors take a candid and considered view of who William Burrell the man was, what sparked his passion for collecting, and what his gift continues to mean to the city.
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- Discover the life and obsessions of one of Scotland's greatest art collectors
- Follow Burrell's journey from shipping fortune to artistic legacy
- Explore the stories behind the masterpieces that fill the Burrell Collection
- Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher
Reviews
'A superbly researched and meticulously detailed account of his unique collection - Scottish society for art history' Scottish Society of Art History
About the Author
Dr Martin Bellamy originally trained as a naval architect. He subsequently took up a career in museums and is currently the Research and Curatorial Manager at Glasgow Museums. He is the author of a number of books and articles on cultural aspects of shipping and shipbuilding is editor of The Mariner's Mirror, the international journal of the Society for Nautical Research.Dr Isobel MacDonald is a specialist in 19th- and 20th-century British collecting history. She read Art History at the University of Glasgow, has a Master's degree in the History of Collecting, and her PhD, in collaboration with The Burrell Collection, focused on Sir William Burrell as a collector.
Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Publication Date: 03 March 2022
Print Length: 256 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9781788854917
Format: Ebook
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my ebook?
Download The Grey Hill App and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.
Can I read it online?
Yes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at reader.thegreyhill.com.
I can't see my ebook — what should I do?
Tap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.
Can I gift this ebook?
Yes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: Buy a Gift Card. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.