A CHRONOLOGY
John Thomson Willing was born August 5, 1860 in Toronto, Canada, according to a family tree at Ancestry.com. The same birth date was published in Herringshaw’s American Blue Book of Biography: Prominent Americans of 1914, although Willing’s middle name was spelled Thompson. Artnet and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts have Willing’s middle name as Thompson. According to the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Willing was born in August 1861 and immigrated in 1883.
Rose-Belford’s Canadian Monthly and National Review
May 1880
A Gossip About the First Dominion Art Exhibition
…The same form—the cone—reappears in a design for a book-cover, by J. T. Willing, No. 283, only on a smaller scale—that of a larch. This and two others by the same hand, in which the Trillium, the beaver, and other purely Canadian subjects appear, are all admirably treated. These also have carried off a prize.
Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
1883 Annual Exhibition of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, and Ontario Society of Artists Catalogue
T. Hill & Sons Press, 1883
page 20: Screen. West Side.
Etchings & Drawings in Black & White
318 Wood Engraver at Work….J.T. Willing
page 21: Corridor. East End.
Architecture and Design.
328 Four Designs for Christmas Cards…..J.T. Willing…..35 [price]
The Dominion Annual Register and Review
Henry James Morgan
Dawson Brothers, 1884
John T. Willing and John Ellis, designers, of Toronto
The Critic and Good Literature
July 5, 1884
A letter to Mr. J. T. Willing, from the author of ‘My Creed,’ is lying at this office. It will be forwarded on receipt of his address. A correspondent sends us a copy of the Boston Journal of year or two ago, containing two sonnets, the first of which is closely modeled on the poem named above.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
(New York)
July 12, 1885
The Brooklyn Magazine has not gone away for the Summer. On the contrary, the July number is happy in “Roses Culled from Brooklyn Gardens,” wherein several poetic Brooklynites “drop into poetry” with the affability go Silas Wegg. in these poems J. Thomson Willing, from his Brooklyn boarding house, “climbs up an open mountain side.”
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
(New York)
September 5, 1886
“Longing” by J. Thomson Willing
New York, New York, Marriage Index
John T Willing and Charlotte Vanderveer
November 18, 1886, Brooklyn, New York
Canadian Leaves, History, Art, Science, Literature, Commerce
A Series of New Papers Read Before the Canadian Club of New York
Edited by George M Fairchild Jr.
Illustrated by Thomson Willing
Napoleon Thomson & Company, 1887
The New York Times
January 8, 1887
The Snowshoers Leave.
…The Hotel Brunswick was the scene of a unique dinner party in the evening tendered by Mr. Erastus Wiman in honor of Mr. J. W. Burgough, the witty caricaturist of the Toronto Grip, who accompanied the snowshoe clubs as one of the most enthusiastic followers of the sport. The tastefully decorated table was surrounded by most of the leading caricaturists and humorists of the city, in which gatherings of the representative artists and humorists have been all too rare. Speech followed speech with graceful tributes from the artistic Bohemia of New-York to the genial guest from Canada and all the guests will record the occasion in their new diaries with a red letter. The names of the guests are familiar to everybody. Mr. Joseph Keppler, of Puck, beamed at Mr. Thomas Nast, of Harper’s Weekly. Mr. J. A. Mitchell, of Life, peered through his gold glasses at Mr. Harry McVickar, of the same paper. Mr. Bernard Gillam, of Judge, sat by Baron C. de Grimm, and interspersed with the merry company were Mr. Grant Hamilton, Mr. H. R. Hart, and Mr. Eugene Zimmerman, of Judge, and J. Thompson Willing, of the Canadian Royal Academy.
Syracuse Daily Standard
(New York)
January 8, 1887
Cartoonists at a Picnic.
New York, Jan. 7.—A unique dinner party was given at New York last evening at the Hotel Brunswick in which most of the leading caricaturists and humorists of the city participated. The dinner was given by Erastus Winan [sic] in honor of J. W. Bengough [sic], editor of the Toronto Grip. The following were among the distinguished guests: Joseph Keppler of Puck; Thomas Nast of Harper’s Weekly; Bernard Gillam of Judge; C. DeGrimm of the Evening Telegram; Eugene Zimmerman of Judge; Mr. McVicker [sic] of Life; Grant Hamilton of Judge; J. A. Mitchell of Life; H. R. Hart of Judge, and J. Thompson Willing of the Canadian Royal Academy.
The Clothier and Furnisher
May 1887
Alfred Benjamin & Co. advertisement signed T.W.
These advertisements might be by Willing.
The Critic
June 2, 1888
Mr. Edward Greey has published in the form of a handsome pamphlet ‘A History of Japanese Bronze,’ written by himself and fully illustrated with reproductions of some of the superb specimens in his gallery. The author gives an account of the prehistoric, the ancient and the modern bronzes. The drawings by Thomson Willing are well composed.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
(Ohio)
June 4, 1888
Mr. Edward Greey has published in the form of a handsome pamphlet “A History of Japanese Bronze,” written by himself and fully illustrated with productions of some of the superb specimens in his gallery. The author gives an account of the prehistoric, the ancient and the modern bronzes. The drawings are by Thomson Willing.
1888–1889 Brooklyn, New York Directory
Name: John T. Willing
Location 1: 7 Warren N. Y.
Location 2: 240 Carroll
Occupation: Artist
The Clothier and Furnisher
November 1889
Alfred Benjamin & Co. advertisement signed T. Willing
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
(New York)
February 7, 1892
The Brooklyn Art School.
William B. Chase Elected instructor in the Life Classes.
The following artists are patrons of the Brooklyn art school: …Thomson Willing…
Some Old Time Beauties
(After Portraits by the English Masters, with Embellishment and Comment)
Thomson Willing
Joseph Knight Company, 1894
1894 Brooklyn, New York Directory
Name: John T. Willing
Home address: 247 Carroll
Business address: 757 Broadway N.Y.
Occupation: Artist
The Evening Post
(New York, New York)
December 24, 1894
The Joseph Knight Co. (Boston) publish as a holiday volume ‘Some Old- Beauties,’ ten portraits of famous beauties by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Romney, Lawrence, and others, with embellishment and comment by Thomson Willing. The comment is mildly gossiping and entertaining, the embellishment is clever if florid, and the portraits, being re-produced from engravings, not from the originals, are of little value as examples of the art of the painters represented, though answering their purpose of satisfying curiosity as to the personal appearance of the sitters. The book is prettily got up and likely to be popular as a gift-book.
The New York Times
January 10, 1895
To Protect the Authors
It was announced yesterday at the regular meeting of the American Authors’ Guild, which looks after the business interests of literary folk, while the Authors’ Club is their social organization, that Postmaster Bissell has practically promised that the postal rates on authors’ manuscripts will be reduced as soon as the change can be made. Manuscripts will then be subject to the same rates as newspapers.
…The meeting was held in the Bible House…The following were elected to membership: …J. Thompson Willing...
The Publishers’ Weekly
December 21, 1895
Willing, Thomson.
Dames of High Degree
Being Portraits After English Masters With Decorations and Biographical Notes
Thomson Willing
Joseph Knight Company, 1896
Trow’s (formerly Wilson's) Business Directory of the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, City of New York, 1897
Designers & Draughtsmen
Willing Thomson, 70, 5th av
The New York Times
February 5, 1898
At the Salmagundi Club
The semi-monthly dinners at the Salmagundi Club are becoming more and more frequently the delightful beginning of an evening set apart for the development of a special art idea. On Tuesday, Jan. 23, 125 members and guests dined in the large exhibition gallery of the club and proceeded thereafter with the painting of tiles for an elaborate fireplace designed by Mr. William C. Ostrander. The design provides for seven important pictures on groups of four-inch tiles…
…The work of the evening was on individual tiles, without restriction of design, which are to form the four-inch borders. All the work is in a warm brown tone, as the completed fireplace is to be set up in the red cafe….
…The mottoes, it should be mentioned, which are a part of the design, will be the work of Mr. Thomson Willing, and the tiles are to be fired by Mr. Charles Volkmar, one of the oldest members of the club….
Northern Christian Advocate
(Syracuse, New York)
September 7, 1898
The Macmillan Company will publish in the early autumn The Great Salt Lake Trail; by Colonel Henry Inman and the Hon. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill). This will be a companion volume to the Old Santa Fe Trail, and will be illustrated with eight full-page drawings by F. Coman Clarke, and initials and tail pieces by Thomson Willing….
Dinner to the Right Hon. Lord Herschell
November 5, 1898
[Museum of the City of New York; click red cover to see illustration and lettering]
New York Herald
November 5, 1898
Joseph Jefferson, who is a painter and illustrator as well as an actor, is making some drawings for the forthcoming second edition de luxe of “The Rivals,” to be published by J. Parker White. The other illustrations, instead of being all imaginary, as were those in the first edition, will consist largely of reproductions from photographs of Mr. Jefferson as Bob Acres in various scenes. Clinedienst and Thomson Willing will also contribute illustrations. Besides making drawings Mr. Jefferson will write an introduction and critically revise the text.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
(Pennsylvania)
November 24, 1898
Mr. Keely’s Funeral
The funeral of John W. Keely took place yesterday morning from his late residence, 1632 Oxford street, and was attended by many friends and business associates of the late inventor….
The honorary pall-bearers were…John T. Willing…
Trow’s (formerly Wilson’s) Business Directory of the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, City of New York, 1898
Designers & Draughtsmen
Willing Thomson, 70, 5th av
New York Herald
February 5, 1899
An Artists’ Lounging Club
…To have a mantelpiece which, instead of being the work of some firm of interior decorators, is composed of tiles painted by distinguished artists sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But the dream is realized in Salmagundi’s lounging room. At the east end is a mantel decorated in blue and white by members of the club. The large centre panel is by Van Laer, the uprights by Dessar, the sides by Drake and Redmonti. Other artists represented are Thomson Willing, E. N. Blue, Frank Russell Green, Earle, Miller, Naegeli, Ostrander, who laid out the general scheme, and Volkmar.
1900 United States Federal Census
108 45th Street, Manhattan, New York
Name / Age / Occupation
John Willing, 38, art designer [immigrated 1883]
Charlotte E Willing, 35 [wife]
Jessie G Willing, 12 [daughter]
Vanderveer Willing, 10 [son]
Harriett Vanderveer, 63 [mother-in-law]
The New York Times
April 21, 1900
The second annual library dinner of the Salmagundi Club, followed by the sale at auction of the usual twenty-four decorated mugs, limited, registered, and signed, took place on the evening of Friday, April 13….
The sum realized from the sale was $613.53, against $397 last year. This sum will be expended by the librarian, William Henry Shelton, and the new members of the Library Committee, Thomson Willing and James B. Carrington of Scribners’ Magazine….
Brooklyn Life
January 12, 1901
One of the most interesting collections of prints in this country is being made by the Salmagundi Club, which has undertaken the formation of a pictorial history of the fashions of the nineteenth century….Each volume is to have a special title-page by Thomson Willing, the chief decorative feature of which will be a miniature head typical of the period.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
(Pennsylvania)
April 14, 1902
Gave Professor a Banquet
A banquet was tendered to Professor Diegendesch on Saturday night, at the School of Industrial Art, by the students of Life Class, ’02. Thompson Willing and C. Thompson, superintendent of the Art School, were two of the guests.
Boyd’s Blue Book: A Directory from Selected Streets of Philadelphia and Surroundings
C.E. Howe Company, 1906
Wayne Avenue
5909 Mr. & Mrs. John Thomson Willing
Twain Quotes
Mark Twain’s Illustrated Biography
These installments followed the unillustrated serialized edition of Autobiography that appeared in North American Review although the segments were not identical. John Thomson Willing was the art editor of the Associated Sunday Magazines and it is likely that he made the arrangements with the various illustrators for the artwork. Willing later informed F. Luis Mora that Mark Twain was very enthusiastic about the color portrait that was featured on the cover of Sunday Magazine that introduced the series on October 27, 1907.
Castings
November 1907
The meeting was called to order at 8:20 by President J. T. Willing. The secretary reported that he had sent the report of the last meeting for publication in the technical papers and that the association had decided
1910 United States Federal Census
5909 Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Name / Age / Occupation
John T Willing, 48, magazine editor
Charlotte E Willing, 48 [wife]
Jessie G Willing, 22 [daughter]
Vander Veer Willing, 20 [son]
Elizabeth H Willing, 3 [daughter]
Mary F Lillie, 42 [servant]
Mary E Paschall, 37 [servant]
The Philadelphia Inquirer
(Pennsylvania)
August 13, 1911
Mr. and Mrs. J. Thomson Willing and their daughter, Miss Willing, who are passing the summer in their bungalow at Guilford, Conn., will return to their home, 5900 Wayne avenue, on September 20.
The New York Times
November 3, 1911
Artists Welcome Craig
Book, magazine and newspaper illustrator packed Keen’s English Chophouse in West Thirty-sixth Street last night to do honor to Frank Craig, one of the foremost English artists, who has done much work for book and magazine publishers in this country.
More than one hundred of the best known artists and illustrators in the city were present, and the dinner had not progressed far before the news got abroad that, while it was still something of a secret, the real occasion for rejoicing among the artists was that Mr. Craig was about to cast off some of his British ties and become an American by permanent residence at least….
…The dinner was a long way from being formal, since Charles Dana Gibson, toastmaster, Montagne Glass, Mr. Craig himself, and other kindred spirits were out to tell stories and sing songs….
…Among the artists and writers present were Andre Castagne, Harrison Fisher, Arthur I. Keller, Wallace Morgan, http://strippersguide.blogspot.com/2016/07/ink-slinger-profiles-by-alex-jay_26.html T.B. Wells, Alonzo Kimball, W.L. Jacobs, C.D. Williams, Lucius Wolcott Hitchcock, J.H. Chapin, art editor of Scribner’s Magazine, Montgomery Flagg, John Thomson Willing, and Troy Kinney.
American Graphic Art
Frank Weitenkampf
Henry Holt and Company, 1912
The Book-Plate
…Thomson Willing, Victor S. Perard, Henry Mayer and A. F. Matthews. To them may be added the architects Russell Sturgis (Avery Architectural Library, Columbia University: in form of tablet), Charles I. Berg, A. W. Brunner, George Fletcher
The Washington Herald
(Washington, DC)
February 23, 1913
Learn One Thing Every Day (Washington Herald advertisement)
The Washington Herald
(Washington, DC)
March 6, 1913
Six Famous Beauties of Former Times
Read About Them in The Herald Columns Every Day Next Week.
Beautiful Women! What a world of meaning those two words convey. The makers of kingdoms; the destroyers of empires; the inspiration of warriors and poets of statesmen and painters. How much we should like to have met those old time beauties who inspired famous artists to paint some of their greatest pictures.
We know some thing of their charm from their portraits, and we can own copies of the portraits painted by these artists. Mr. J. Thomson Willing, author of “Some Old Time Beauties,” and “Dames of High Degree,” will introduce you to six of these beautiful women in next week’s “Mentor.” They are the Duchess of Devonshire, Mrs. Sarah Siddons, Madame Vigee Le Brun, Queen Louisa of Prussia, Madame Recamier, and the Countess Zofia Potocka.
And each day in the columns of The Herald the story of one of these portraits will be told. On Monday you will read the story of how Thomas Gainsborough came to be a painter. This genius had a queer taste for learning to play all sorts of musical instruments. Gainsborough painted the portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire.
Mrs. Sarah Siddons was the greatest actress that the British stage has ever known. Her famous portrait as the “Tragic Muse” was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Tuesday’s paper will tell you about them both.
Besides being a very beautiful woman, Vigee Le Brun was a great artist. By the tune she was fifteen years old she was well Known as a portrait painter. During her life she painted over 800 pictures—among them several portraits of herself. You will be told on Wednesday, among other things, how she dared to offend Napoleon.
It is a sad truth that marriages between royal personages are not always love matches. But on Thursday you will read a true love story that is one of the sweetest the world has ever known. This is the story of Frederick William III of Prussia and Queen Louisa, whose portrait was painted many years after her death by Gustav Richter.
Mme. Recamier and Jacques Louis David, who painted her portrait will be the subjects of Friday’s daily story. Brilliant, good, and beautiful Mme. Recamier was a leader in tho political and literary life of her time.
A slave girl who became a countess will be the subject for Saturday. Alexandre Kucharski painted the well known picture of the Countess Zofia Potocka. You all know this picture, but perhaps you do not know the story of this beautiful girl.
These six women besides being beautiful played prominent parts in history and every one should know about them. An additional value of the series, too, is in the artistic reproductions of these world renowned portraits which accompany “The Mentor.” They are a delight to the eye and a pleasure to own.
The daily stories that are being published in our columns are part of the plan of The Associated Newspaper School to give you just what you have always wanted to know about Art, Travel, History, Science, Natural History, and Literature. The Herald gives you day by day, and week by week, the benefits of this plan. The daily feature is the human interest story that you will read in the columns of the Herald. The weekly feature of the plan is “The Mentor,” which gives you an illustrated article by an eminent authority on the subject of the week. “The Mentor” also contains six beautiful pictures either in color or in intaglio-gravure.
The price of “The Mentor” is 10 cents, and it can be purchased at the Herald office.
New York Tribune
Sunday Magazine
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