Background
He was born at Lambeth, London, in August 1790, the son of Robert Slade, a Surrey landowner, from whom he inherited considerable means.
He was born at Lambeth, London, in August 1790, the son of Robert Slade, a Surrey landowner, from whom he inherited considerable means.
He became widely known as a purchaser of books and engravings, and made a valuable collection of glass.
When he died he left a fortune of £160, 000 and bequeathed the bulk of his art collection to the British Museum; the books are now in the British Library. £35, 000 was specified for the endowment of art professorships, to be known as Slade Professorships, at Oxford, Cambridge, and University College, London. University College received the additional bequest of six art scholarships for students, the nucleus of the Slade School of Art.
He meticulously catalogued his collection of glass, which was published in 1869 and 1871.
Slade was the subject of a portrait in coloured chalk by Margaret Sarah Carpenter.
He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (1866).
He died unmarried.
