Charles Paget Wade
Encyclopedia
Charles Paget Wade was an architect
, artist-craftsman
and poet
; today he is perhaps best remembered for the eclectic collection he amassed during his life, a collection which can be seen at Snowshill Manor
, his former home in the village of Snowshill
, Gloucestershire
, which he gave to the National Trust
in 1951.
From an early age, Wade wanted to become an architect. After he qualified as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects
in 1907, he went to work for Raymond Unwin
, one of the founders of the architectural partnership of Parker and Unwin, major proponents of the Arts and Crafts Movement. There he worked with M.H. Baillie Scott
, to whom he would later turn for help in designing the gardens at Snowshill Manor.
In 1911 Wade's father died and he inherited a share in the family business based on sugar
estates on the island of St Kitts in the West Indies.
After service in France during World War I, Wade purchased the estate at Snowshill in 1919, first restoring the Manor House and laying out the gardens from 1920 to 1923.
Having started collecting at the age of 7, Wade eventually built up a collection of more than 22000 items of furniture, clothing, paintings, and many other pieces which reflected his interest in colour, design and good craftsmanship. He housed the collection in the Manor House at Snowshill, choosing to live in a small cottage in the garden. He continued to add to his collection over the years.
Wade married in 1946, having met his wife, who worked in Broadway during World War II, when she visited Snowshill Manor in 1945. After the marriage they spent increasingly greater amounts of time at their house in the West Indies.
Wade gave the estate to the National Trust in 1951. He died in 1956 during a visit to England and is buried in the village churchyard with other members of his family.
In addition to the many drawings and paintings he produced for his own interest, Wade also illustrated the travel guide Bruges by Mary Stratton (1914) and "The Spirit of the House" by Kate Murray (1915).
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, artist-craftsman
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
and poet
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
; today he is perhaps best remembered for the eclectic collection he amassed during his life, a collection which can be seen at Snowshill Manor
Snowshill Manor
Snowshill Manor is a National Trust property located in the village of Snowshill, Gloucestershire, England.-History:Snowshill Manor was the property of Winchcombe Abbey from 821 until 1539 when the Abbey was confiscated by King Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.Between 1539 and...
, his former home in the village of Snowshill
Snowshill
Snowshill is a small Cotswolds village in Gloucestershire, England, located near to Broadway, Worcestershire.Snowshill is best known for nearby Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property open to the public...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, which he gave to the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
in 1951.
From an early age, Wade wanted to become an architect. After he qualified as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
in 1907, he went to work for Raymond Unwin
Raymond Unwin
Sir Raymond Unwin was a prominent and influential English engineer, architect and town planner, with an emphasis on improvements in working class housing.-Early years:...
, one of the founders of the architectural partnership of Parker and Unwin, major proponents of the Arts and Crafts Movement. There he worked with M.H. Baillie Scott
Baillie Scott
Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott was a British architect and artist He was born at Beards Hill, St Peters near Ramsgate, Kent, the second eldest of ten children....
, to whom he would later turn for help in designing the gardens at Snowshill Manor.
In 1911 Wade's father died and he inherited a share in the family business based on sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
estates on the island of St Kitts in the West Indies.
After service in France during World War I, Wade purchased the estate at Snowshill in 1919, first restoring the Manor House and laying out the gardens from 1920 to 1923.
Having started collecting at the age of 7, Wade eventually built up a collection of more than 22000 items of furniture, clothing, paintings, and many other pieces which reflected his interest in colour, design and good craftsmanship. He housed the collection in the Manor House at Snowshill, choosing to live in a small cottage in the garden. He continued to add to his collection over the years.
Wade married in 1946, having met his wife, who worked in Broadway during World War II, when she visited Snowshill Manor in 1945. After the marriage they spent increasingly greater amounts of time at their house in the West Indies.
Wade gave the estate to the National Trust in 1951. He died in 1956 during a visit to England and is buried in the village churchyard with other members of his family.
In addition to the many drawings and paintings he produced for his own interest, Wade also illustrated the travel guide Bruges by Mary Stratton (1914) and "The Spirit of the House" by Kate Murray (1915).
External links
- Charles Wade and Snowshill Manor in the Cotswold Review
- Charles Wade's biography
- A Cotswolds Ghost Story Article about Charles Wade and Snowshill manor on Brian Haughton's website.