Identity:

William Mitchell was a collector.

Life:

Mitchell's fortune was made from sheepfarming in Australia. He lived at 16 Grosvenor Street in London for most of his life. He was a major collector of Early German prints and a benefactor to the British Museum.

Mitchell was proposed as a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Club on 10 December 1866. It was he who proposed at a meeting held on 13 December 1867 that JW was 'not a proper person to remain a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Club, and that the Honorary Secretary be authorized to strike the name of Mr Whistler from the roll of members of this club - and the Treasurer, to refuse to receive any further subscription from him', a proposal seconded by Bernard Woodward (#12958).

Bibliography:

Lugt, Frits, Les marques de collections de dessins et d'estampes: marques estampillèes et écrites de collections particulières et publiques; marques de marchands, de monteurs et d'imprimeurs; etc..., Amsterdam, 1921, no. 2638; Coppel, Stephen, 'William Mitchell (1820-1908) and John Malcolm of Poltalloch (1805-1893)', Landmarks in Print Collecting, London, 1996.