William Esdaile facts for kids

William Esdaile (born 1758 – died 1837) was an English banker. He was also a famous collector of old prints and other art.

William Esdaile's Banking Career

William Esdaile was born in 1758. He was the fourth son of Sir James Esdaile, who was a very important person. His father was even the lord mayor of London.

William got a business education. He started working as a clerk at a bank called Ladbrooke & Co. Around 1780, his father, Sir James Esdaile, helped start a new banking business. It was called Esdaile, Hammet, & Co. William then moved to work at this new bank. It was located on Lombard Street in London.

What Was William Like at Work?

William's son wrote about his father's work habits. He said William was very focused on his job. He would sit on a high stool, watching everything closely. He was so busy that he barely noticed people coming into the office.

William was not very good at talking about everyday things. He also didn't know much about what was happening outside of work. He was completely focused on banking.

The bank later became known as Esdaile & Hammet. It closed down in early 1837.

William Esdaile as an Art Collector

William Esdaile started collecting art with some help. He got advice from a person named Rev. Thomas Noble. He also learned from an art dealer named John Thane. William often went to sales where prints were sold.

At first, he bought only a few cheap items. He didn't trust his own judgment much. So, he hired a professional helper. This helper went with him to all the big art auctions in London.

What Did William Collect?

Most of William's collection was made up of prints. But he also bought other things. He collected coins, fancy china, and books. He bought all sorts of interesting items he found at sales.

Towards the end of his life, William's mind started to fail. He stopped being careful with his money. He spent a lot, sometimes without thinking. This actually helped his collection grow even more. People thought his collection was one of the most valuable in England.

The Sale of His Collection

After William Esdaile died, his collection was sold. The sale lasted for 16 days! Some of the most exciting items were a full set of Rembrandt etchings. He also had many drawings by Claude. William had bought these from another famous collector, Sir Thomas Lawrence. He also had many great works by early Italian engravers.

Travels Abroad

In 1825, when William was 68 years old, he took his first trip outside England. He visited Italy. He enjoyed it so much that he went again two years later.

William Esdaile's Later Years

In 1832, William Esdaile got very sick. He caught a dangerous fever when he returned home to Clapham from Dover. He got better, but he could no longer work. He couldn't manage his money or property anymore.

He stopped reading and writing. Instead, he spent his days looking at his print collection. He spent the winter of 1835–36 in Rome and Naples. After he came back, his health slowly got worse. He was in bed for nine months. William Esdaile died at Clapham on October 2, 1837. He was buried in Bunhill Fields.

Portraits of William Esdaile

Two famous artists painted William Esdaile. They were Wilkie and Lawrence. An engraving was also made from a pastel portrait. This portrait was done by George Sharples.

William Esdaile's Family

William Esdaile married Elizabeth. She was the only child of Edward Jeffries. Edward Jeffries was the treasurer of St. Thomas's Hospital. William and Elizabeth had two sons and four daughters.

Their youngest daughter, Caroline, got married in 1824. She married Rees Goring Thomas.

William Esdaile's grandson was Edward Jeffries Esdaile. He married Ianthe Eliza Shelley in 1837. She was the daughter of the famous poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.