George Mason

Background

George Heming Mason was born at Fenton Park in the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. He was a son of George Miles Mason (1789–1859) and Eliza Heming.

Education

George Heming Mason was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, and studied for the medical profession for five years under Dr. Watt of that city.

Career

In 1858, when George Heming Mason settled at Wetley Abbey, he continued for a while to paint Italian subjects from studies made during his stay abroad, and then his art began to touch in a wonderfully tender and poetic way the peasant life of England, especially of his native Staffordshire, and the homely landscape in the midst of which that life was set.

He left Staffordshire in 1865 and went to live at Hammersmith and he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1869.

By that time he had fully established his position as an artist of unusual power and individuality.

In motif and treatment it has something in common with the art of Millet and Jules Breton, as with that of Frederick Walker among Englishmen; though he had neither the occasional uncouth robustness of Millet nor the firm actuality of Jules Breton.

He was elected to the legislature in 1785, over his objections, and in 1787 he represented Virginia in the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia.

Mason was an active delegate, and years later Madison recalled Mason at Philadelphia as a “powerful Reasoner, a profound Statesman and a devoted Republican. ”

Achievements

• George Heming Mason's pictures " Wind on the Wold " and " The Cast Shoe " are in the National Gallery of British Art.

Politics

In July 1775 George Heming Masonwas elected to the Virginia Convention, and when Governor Dunmore fled the colony at the end of the year, Mason served on the committee of safety, which acted as the new executive power. Declaration of Rights.

Mason called for gradual emancipation and for educating the freed people so they could become independent members of society. Devoted Republican.

Connections

In 1858, George Heming Mason married Mary Emma Wood on the 5 August. They had two sons and five daughters.

Father:

George Miles Mason

Mother:

Eliza Heming

Spouse:

Mary Emma

Son:

John