Arthur Mitchell Ransome was born in Leeds on 18 January 1884, the eldest child of Cyril Ransome and his wife Edith nee Boulton. Ransome's Australian connection comes through his mother, the daughter of artist and pastoralist Edward Baker Boulton.
The first part of the series focuses on Ransome and his fascinating early life, Here we have revolution, spies and a long term romance mixed in with writing.
Russian beauty: Leon Trotsky's secretary Evgenia Shelepina. Tall, attractive and intelligent, Evgenia became the love of Arthur Ransome's life. Update. For reasons I do not understand, Google has blocked this photo although it is out of copyright and widely availableOur focus then switches to Edward Baker Boulton, Ransome's grandfather.
Boulton came to NSW to advance himself and with his brothers built a pastoral empire that finally centred on Bergen op Zoom station just outside Walcha. Here our story briefly traces through Bolton's life in the colony. including his involvement with the small intellectual and cultural set centred on Sydney's darling point.
Boulton was always more interested in his painting than the sheep that provided the income that supported he and his huge family.
Now largely forgotten, Boulton was a reasonably significant painter whose paintings include many New England scenes.
The posts are:
- Wednesday, January 22, 2020, First pages of a literary life
- Wednesday, January 29, 2020, Arthur Ransome's life of danger and intrigue
- Wednesday, February 05, 2020, Celebrated author Arthur Ransome's Australian connection
- Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Artist and pastoralist
- Wednesday, February 19, 2020, Building dynasties in New England
- Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Purchase of Bergen op Zoom, return to England, Mary's death
- Wednesday, March 11, 2020, A complicated family
- Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Artist's bleak conclusion
2 comments:
I wondered how Ransome and the lovely Evgenia got together. He must have learned Russian VERY well, to hold down a serious job and to attract a bright young woman. But then I assume she was very impressed with him, as well.
Hi Hels. I suspect he did! They seem to have shared an adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors
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