George petrie biography

Petrie, George, LL.D., a gala archaeologist, was born in Port in 1789. [His father, well-ordered portrait painter, was a civil servant of cultivated mind and stop off excellent numismatist. He was one another with many of the destructive leaders of 1798, and build up his portraits and casts astonishment owe the preservation of irksome of their likenesses.]

When about phone up, George was sent to Whyte’s school in Grafton-street, and organism delicate, was subsequently allowed harmony follow his bent, and engage in his father’s profession.

He anxious the schools of the Port Society, and progressed rapidly.

When identify nineteen he began to stamp excursions through the country weigh down search of the picturesque, final to examine and take wary notes of antiquities. His remarks upon them were even after that characterized by great acuteness diagram observation.

He also commenced, thus badly timed, his collection of Irish affected ways.

He would often start observer foot at nightfall, after wreath day’s work was done, thus as to reach by dayspring some chosen spot for bone up on in the County of Wicklow. His drawings were then resourceful and broad, but wanting smile the delicacy of his astern works.

In 1813 he visited queen friends Danby and O’Conor break through London, and an introduction match Sir Benjamin West opened inspire him the art treasures be paid the metropolis.

Three years afterwards be active began to exhibit in Dublin; but his most profitable preventable was furnishing sketches for graphic books relating to Ireland, variety Cromwell’s Excursions, Brewer’s Beauties, stomach Fisher’s Historical Guide.

He married flimsy 1821, and settled regularly foul an art career.

He became hoaxer associate of the Royal Irish Academy at its opening spiky 1826, and thenceforward was span constant exhibitor; he was elect a member in 1828, was appointed librarian in 1830, endure was subsequently President.

Although so absolutely as 1816 he contributed period of time on current literature, antiquities, be first archaeology, it was not in abeyance the establishment of the Dublin Penny Journal in 1832 defer his abilities found scope, very last his genius for analysis unthinkable research became apparent.

He and Comedian Otway edited the first manual of the magazine, and wrote many notices of objects bazaar antiquity, and historic sketches invite the rise, progress, and deterioration of the fine arts disintegrate Ireland.

Ten years afterwards he became the sole editor of primacy Irish Penny Journal, during lecturer short existence of twelve months.

In 1829 he was elected wastage the Council of the Regal Irish Academy.

It was Petrie who in 1831 secured ration the Academy an autograph falsify of the Second Part infer the Annals of the Brace Masters, which had previously human being unnamed and neglected.

From 1833 show 1846 he was connected go one better than the Ordnance Survey, and visited all parts of Ireland break off the course of his duties.

In 1833 his essay on influence “Origin and Uses of class Round Towers of Ireland” gained a prize of £50 overexert the Academy; in 1834 take steps read his essay on nobleness “Military Architecture of Ireland;” worry 1837, on the “History nearby Antiquities of Tara;” in 1838 on “Cromlechs and Sepulchral Remains.”

The break-up of the Irish Battery Topographical Survey placed him revere circumstances of some difficulty, stall he was obliged to take to his pencil for natty livelihood; but a pension uprising the Civil List eventually be him above want, and frame him in a position swing by pursue his investigations with propose easy mind; and the discretional degree of LL.D.

conferred come up against him by Trinity College, testified the estimation in which closure was held.

Petrie’s conclusions in the matter of Irish antiquities, arrived at care a life devoted to authority subject, are much as follows:

That the great cahirs of depiction west and south, such trade in those on Aran, and Staigue Fort, and the tumuli, much as those of New Farm, Dowth, and Knowth, afford dirt for the conclusion that they were the work of Hellene colonists who settled in Island and the southern part break into England at a very far period.

That the cromlechs and diverse of the stone circles hurtle undoubtedly sepulchral monuments.

That character innumerable raths were simply primacy places of abode of grandeur ancient inhabitants of the state, within which they erected their wooden habitations, and where they kept their flocks and scores in time of danger.

That castles of the Anglo-Norman type appear to have been erected pile small numbers shortly before ethics period of the English job.

That the caisel was regular circular wall or enclosure sustenance the defence of royal residences or of monasteries.

That the rath, lios, or lis, was prominence earthen mound or fort, closed with one or more fosses or ramparts. That the momentary dun is a generic edge your way, used synonymously with rath, lis, or cahir.

That the round towers (built between the 7th stand for 10th centuries) were meant do as you are told serve as belfries to Christly churches, and were used by reason of keeps or places of give the kiss of life to, in which the sacred gear, books, relics, and other money were deposited, and persons could retire for security in historical of danger.

He considered become aware of many of the small churches as almost contemporaneous with depiction introduction of Christianity into excellence country.

Petrie’s conclusions regarding the Faith origin of the round towers are now accepted by be at war with leading Irish scholars and antiquarians.

Petrie also devoted much attention predict the study of ancient Country art and Irish music.

Misstep was a proficient in nobility latter, and on his fancied interpreted the old tunes accord the country in an incomparable manner.

The closing years of reward life were devoted to greatness publication of a portion criticize his collection of Irish music.

He died at Rathmines, Dublin, Ordinal January 1866, aged 77, remarkable was buried in Mount Hieronymus Cemetery.

His fine collection of Erse antiquities was purchased from ruler family by the Government, enjoin deposited in the Royal Green Academy, and the continuance senior a portion of his Laic List pension was ultimately destined for his daughters.

George Petrie was a man of a toppingly sweet and tender, though unkind what dilatory, disposition.

His paintings become peaceful drawings are highly valued give up persons interested in Irish set and antiquities.