On 7th October 1856 John White Alexander was born at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He was orphaned whilst an infant, and was raised by his grandparents.
Around 1874, aged eighteen John White Alexander [aged 17] moved to New York City and worked in an office at Harper's Weekly, where he was an illustrator and political cartoonist at the same time that Abbey, Pennell, Pyle, and other celebrated illustrators labored there.
Around 1877 John White Alexander [aged 20] traveled to Munich for his first formal training. Owing to the lack of funds, he removed to the village of Polling, Bavaria, and worked with Frank Duveneck. They traveled to Venice, where he profited by the advice of Whistler [aged 42], and then he continued his studies in Florence, Italy; the Netherlands; and Paris.
In 1881 John White Alexander [aged 24] returned to New York City and achieved great success in portraiture
1882 or 1883. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of John White Alexander [aged 25].
After 1888. John White Alexander [aged 31]. Portrait of the artist's wife Elizabeth Waddell Alexander [aged 22].
Elizabeth Waddell Alexander: In 1866 she was born to James Waddell Alexander. Before 19th September 1888 John White Alexander and she were married. In 1947 she died.
Before 19th September 1888 John White Alexander [aged 31] and Elizabeth Waddell Alexander [aged 22] were married.
1889. John White Alexander [aged 32]. Walt Whitman.
In 1893 John White Alexander [aged 36] exhibited with success in the Paris Salon and was elected to the Société Nationale des Beaux Arts.
1894. John White Alexander [aged 37]. Panel for Music Room
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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1895. John White Alexander [aged 38]. "Repose"
1896. John White Alexander [aged 39]. Manuscript Book mural, 1896, Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C.
1897. John White Alexander [aged 40]. "Isabella and the Pot of Basil".
1898. John White Alexander [aged 41]. "A Toiler"
1901-1902. John White Alexander [aged 44]. "Miss Helen Manice (Later Mrs. Henry M. Alexander)".
1901-1902. John White Alexander [aged 44]. "Miss Dorothy Quincy Roosevelt (Later Mrs. Langdon Geer)"
1903. John White Alexander [aged 46]. "Memories".
On 31st May 1915 John White Alexander [aged 58] died.
In 1947 [his former wife] Elizabeth Waddell Alexander [aged 81] died.