George Samuel Elgood

Who was George Samuel Elgood?

George Samuel Elgood was an English artist and illustrator who became well known for his paintings of formal gardens.

Elgood was born in Leicester, Leicestershire, one of a family of 7 boys and 2 girls. After a private education at various schools, including Bloxham, he studied art at Leicester Art School under Wilmot Pilsbury, and then architectural drawing at the South Kensington Schools in London.

Elgood's father died in 1874 necessitating a return home to look after the family business, although he continued to paint part-time. He went on painting expeditions and holidays with his art school tutor Pilsbury, and had some lessons from local artist John Fulleylove who was his brother-in-law, as well as travelling and painting with his wife, Mary Clepham, who was also an artist.

In the early 1880s, he was free to resume art full-time, becoming a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1882 and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters a few years later. He exhibited several times at the Fine Art Society between 1890-1925.