UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler
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Florence Boughton, 1863-??

Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 1863
Place of Birth: Kensington, London
Date of Death:
Place of Death:

Identity:

Florence was the adopted daughter of the artist George E. Boughton. On 6 December 1887 she married John Montague Caesar Robb, Esq., son of Captain John Robb, RN, (dec.).

Life:

JW's letters to 'Flossie' are affectionate, demanding, flirtatious and flattering; they seem to have had a close friendship lasting over some years. The Boughton household included Henrietta G. Cullen, Flossie's aunt, who appears to have taken on the role of chaperone). It is apparent that Flossie and family had social connections (including the family of F. R. Leyland) that were of value to JW.

Bibliography:

UK census 1881 (accessed 2004.03) from http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/search_census.asp; GPO marriage certificate, Kensington, County of Middlesex, 1887; PRO, Will of G. H. Boughton, London, probate 21 January 1905.