About the De Morgan Centre Collection
The De Morgan Foundation
Mrs Wilhelmina Stirling
This wonderful collection has not been together since the death
of Evelyn’s sister, Mrs Wilhelmina Stirling, in 1965. She
assembled it at her home, Old Battersea House in London.
She was a fascinating woman who published her sister and brother-in-law’s
biography and other books on diverse subjects. Mrs Stirling leased
the property from the Borough Council who, after her death, granted
a long lease to the American publisher, Malcolm Forbes. He restored
it and gave the De Morgan Foundation space to display its collection.
A large number of ceramics were lent to Cardiff Castle, Cragside
in Northumberland and Knightshayes in Devon.
Its New Home
The De Morgan Centre permanent collection
Photographer Nigel Frey
Eventually, to enable the collection to be brought together for
easier access for the public, premises were sought within the Borough
of Wandsworth and the West Hill Reference Library chosen. Dating
from 1887, the year the De Morgans were married, the premises are
in a prime position, well served by public transport. They accommodate
the collection and archive, and provide additional space for temporary
exhibitions and seminars. The exhibition space was designed by Michael
Davies of Michael Davies Associates, London, to take maximum advantage
of the fine Arts and Crafts architecture with state of the art exhibition
display facilities and lighting.
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