Background
Hall was born at Garston, Liverpool, England, the son of a broker of the same family as Captain Basil Hall, writer of books of traveling Hall was well educated and grew up in an atmosphere of culture.
Hall was born at Garston, Liverpool, England, the son of a broker of the same family as Captain Basil Hall, writer of books of traveling Hall was well educated and grew up in an atmosphere of culture.
Studied at Cheltenham College Studied art at South Kensington Museum, and at the Antwerp and Munich Academies. Started professionally in London, 1882, exhibiting at the Royal Academy and elsewhere. Was an original member of the New English Art Club.
And contributed illustrations to the Graphic, Black and White, and other publications.
On the death of George Frederick Folingsby in 1891 he was appointed director of the National Gallery of Victoria at Melbourne, and began his duties in March 1892. Hall married Elsinore Mary Shuter on 18 December 1894, however she died in 1901. He held the position at the Gallery for 43 years and many of the well-known painters of Australia were trained by him in the National Gallery of Victoria Art School.
Hall also acted as adviser to the trustees for purchases for the gallery and art museum, and when the munificent bequest of Alfred Felton was received in 1904 his responsibilities were much increased.
In 1905 Hall went to England to make purchases under the bequest. After his return he was expected to advise on everything submitted that might find a place in an art museum and, although he never claimed to be an expert in all these things, he supplemented his knowledge with hard reading and made relatively few mistakes.
He exhibited at the Royal Academy and was one of the original members of the New English Art Club.
Spouse 1894, Elsinore Mary, 2nddaughter of late Charles Shuter, P.M. of Melbourne.