Christopher Dresser Ph.D. Biography 1834 to 1904

Christopher Dresser Ph.D. was born in Glasgow in 1834 and died on November 24th, 1904. He was educated in Bandon (Cork) and later moved to London where, at fifteen, the he attended the School of Design. He had a strong interest in botany, authored many books and was a lecturer at the Department of Science and Art as well as several schools.

According to A history of English wallpaper, Dresser “was inclined to dissect his plants and work the parts into a pattern rather than take a plant’s essential characteristics in its habit as it grows. At the same time he had catholicity of taste, and an acquaintance with art movements all over the world — he travelled in many parts of the Continent, as well as in America and Japan — which enabled him to contribute to the growth of public taste, both through his writings on art and his designs.”

According to Studio International “Dr. Christopher Dresser, who, both as a zealous worker in and writer upon decorative design, has done more to further the good taste of his countrymen than many men whose names have been more prominently before the public. In wall papers, carpets, glass, pottery, and metal work, he was equally original and happy in his conceptions. His interesting and beautifully illustrated book on Japan, its Architecture, Art, and Manufactures more nearly touches and elucidates the artistic genius of the Japanese people than any other volume written upon the subject. His earlier works, Unity in Variety, Principles of Decorative Design, etc. have been studied with profit by thousands of students of art. He was a man of exceptional talent, a strenuous worker, and of a happy and genial temperament. We understand that his daughter. Miss Ada Nettleton Dresser, who inherits much of her father’s talent, and was of great help to him in his later years, will continue, with a staff of competent assistants, the studio at Elm Bank, Barnes, London.”

Additional information about his life can be found at MoMA.

sources:
Studio International, London, 1905
A history of English wallpaper, 1509-1914 by Sugden, Alan Victor; Edmondson, John Ludlam (1926)