Brooke, Harriet

Gender:
Female
Date and place of birth:
born 21.09.1800, Haughton Hall, Shifnal, Salop.
Date and place of death:
dec.18.02.1875, Haughton Hall, Shifnal, Salop.
Worked:
(fl) N/A
Known places of work:
N/A
Known techniques:
N/A
Known materials:
N/A
Frames:
N/A
Signature:
N/A

Introduction:

Born to a family of Shropshire landed gentry, HARRIET BROOKE (1800-1875) was never a commercial profilist, nor is it known if she ever crafted silhouettes as a genteel pastime. However, she appears as an 'artist' in McKechnie due to being gifted in 1805, a scrapbook filled with the skilful cut-work of her paternal aunt and godmother, Barbara Anne Townshend (1781-1816).

McKechnie theorised the silhouettes were 'probably' Harriet's. This is unlikely. Recent research discovered Harriet was barely 5 years old when presented with the scrapbook. Comprehensively illustrated in McKechnie's BRITISH SILHOUETTE ARTISTS and their WORKS 1760-1860, the scrapbook's flyleaf is inscribed in an adult hand "Harriet Brooke from her affectionate God-mother Barbara Anne Townshend November 4th 1805, Stanley Place...[Chester]". Endearing cut-work augments 2 children's stories. Inscriptions under each cutting are in a child's hand, doubtless Harriet's, while only her godmother's hand could surely have contributed the intricate, confidently cut silhouettes.

Barbara Anne Townshend herself (see revised 2024 biography in Artists' Index) was born to a family of Cheshire landed gentry. Though never a commercial profilist, she was the author of a twice-reprinted work containing engravings of her own silhouettes and advice on the techniques required for attempting cut-work compositions. In addition, individual sheets of her printed silhouettes (3 of which are housed in the Wellcome Collection) were also recorded for sale. Dying in 1816, in her will she bequeathed as a memento mori a "...plaited bracelet of her hair set in a most plain manner to her friend Harriet Brooke".

Harriet was the eldest of 7 offspring - 2 daughters and 5 sons, born between 1800-1809 to Henrietta née Massey (1779-1843) and George Brooke Esq. (1776-1845). Born George Brook Briggs Townshend, he was Barbara Anne Townshend's paternal cousin. Changing his surname to 'Brooke' in 1797, he served as High Sheriff of Shropshire in 1811.

Aged 74, Harriet Brooke died at Haughton Hall, Shifnal, the place of her birth, on February 18th, 1875 and was buried at St. Andrews, Shifnal, 5 days later.

Revised 3 November 2024 (Brian Wellings)

Additional research about Harriet Brooke:

Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)

Brooke, Harriet (McKechnie Section 1)