William Scrope facts for kids
William Scrope (born 1772, died 1852) was an interesting English gentleman who loved sports and art. He was known for writing books about his outdoor adventures. He also painted beautiful landscapes.
About William Scrope
William Scrope was born in 1772. His father was Richard Scrope. When his father passed away in 1787, William inherited the family's property in Castle Combe, Wiltshire. Later, in 1795, he also received more family estates in Cockerington, Lincolnshire.
William was a very smart person who studied classical subjects. He was also a passionate sportsman. He especially loved deer-stalking (hunting deer) and salmon-fishing. Besides sports, he was a talented landscape artist, painting scenes from nature.
He once rented a home near Melrose in Scotland. There, he became good friends with the famous writer Sir Walter Scott. William was also a member of important groups like the Accademia di San Luca in Rome, which is an art academy. He was also a fellow of the Linnean Society, which focuses on natural history. William Scrope passed away in London on July 20, 1852.
William Scrope's Books and Art
William Scrope wrote two famous books about his favorite sports. The first was The Art of Deerstalking, published in 1838. The second was Days and Nights of Salmon-fishing in the Tweed, which came out in 1843. Both books were reissued many years later.
His books had wonderful pictures inside. These illustrations were made by famous artists like Edwin Landseer, Charles Landseer, David Wilkie, and William Simson.
Besides writing, William Scrope was a skilled painter. He painted many scenes from Scotland, Italy, Sicily, and other places he visited. Sometimes, he showed his paintings at important art exhibitions. These included the Royal Academy and the British Institution. He was also an active director at the British Institution. Another artist, William Simson, often helped him with his artwork.
William Scrope's Family
William Scrope came from a very old and important family. He was a direct descendant of Richard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton. William was the last male member of his direct family line.
In 1794, he married Emma Long. She was the daughter of Charles Long from Grittleton, Wiltshire. They had one daughter named Emma Phipps. In 1821, Emma Phipps married George Poulett Thomson. After their marriage, George took on the Scrope family name and coat of arms.
