Richard Simkin (5 November 1850 – 25 June 1926) was an English artist who specialised in illustrating military uniforms.
Biography Born in Conduit Street London , on 5 November 1850, the son of a commercial traveller, also named Richard.The best biographical information on the artist is Carman, William Y. (1982). Richard Simkin's Uniforms of the British Army: The Cavalry Regiments. Exeter: Webb & Bower, pp. 9-13 He spent much of his time in Aldershot, Hampshire, after marrying his wife, Harriet in 1880, and was also a volunteer in the Artists Rifles. He was employed by the War Office to design recruiting posters, and to illustrate the Army and Navy Gazette. In 1901 he created a series of 'Types of the Indian Army' for the Gazette;Arnold Wilson (1972). A Dictionary of British Military Painters. Leigh-on-Sea: F. Lewis he obtained much of the information from the Colonial and India Exhibition of 1886. During his lifetime, he, along with Orlando Norie produced thousands of watercolours depicting the uniforms and campaigns of the British Army. Simkin also contributed illustrations to numerous publications including the Boy's Own Magazine, The Graphic and others; many were published by Raphael Tuck and sons.
He died at his home at 7 Cavendish Street, Herne Bay on 25 June 1926, survived by his wife and two daughters. Today, his pictures can be seen in numerous regimental museums and his illustrations appear in regimental histories, while watercolours frequently come up for auction.
Publications The War in Egypt. London: George Routledge, 1883 Our Soldiers and Sailors in Egypt. London: George Routledge, 1885 Uniforms of the British Army, in Twelve Representative Plates. London: Halford Bros, 1886 Military Types. London: George Berridge, 1888–1902 Life in the Army. London: Chapman & Hall, 1889 A Book of Soldiers. London: Perry., c. 1890 Following the Drum. London: William Allen, c. 1890 Where Glory Calls. The Soldier's Scrap Book. London: William Allen, c. 1890 The Royal Military Tournament. London: Frederick Warne, c. 1890 The Boy's Books of British Battles from 1704 to 1882. London: George Routledge, c. 1890 Our Armies. London: Sampson Low, Marston, 1891 British Soldiers Past and Present: Their Dress and Equipment from 1600 to Date. London: Frederick Warne, c. 1894 Armed Europe. London: Raphael Tuck, c. 1895 The Army. London: George Routledge, c. 1900 The Great Powers of the World. London: Dean, c. 1900 Soldiers of the Queen. London: Thomas Nelson, c. 1900 Soldiers of the Century. London: Dean, 1901 Sailors of the Century. London: Dean, 1901
Gallery
References
Further reading Carman, William Y. (1982). Richard Simkin's uniforms of the British Army: the cavalry regiments: from the collection of Captain K.J. Douglas-Morris, RN. Exeter: Webb & Bower. Carman, William Y. (1985). Richard Simkin's uniforms of the British Army: Infantry, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and other corps: from the collection of Captain K.J. Douglas-Morris, RN. Exeter: Webb & Bower. Robinson, George. Richard Simkin: A Collection of Prints and Related Correspondence. Edinburgh: G. Robison, 1970. 2 vols. Walton, Peter S. (1981). Simkin's soldiers: the British army in 1890. 2v. Dorking, Surrey: Victorian Military Society.
External links
Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library over 350 original water-colours by Simkin