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________________________________________|
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_William Mathew WAIN ___|
| (1825 - 1880) m 1860 |
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| |________________________________________|
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|--Louis William WAIN
| (1860 - 1939)
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| _Louis Antoine Marie BOITEUX ___________|
| | (1809 - ....) m 1832 |
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|_Julie Felicie BOITEUX _|
(1840 - 1910) m 1860 |
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|_Caroline Felilite Josephine CHIFFLART _|
(1806 - 1861) m 1832 |
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[555]
Artist famous for painting cats.
Lived 8 Brook St, Hanover Square, London 1881 census
His fathers death in 1880 made Louis the breadwinner for
the family. Following his marriage to Emily Richardson, the
governess employed to look after the Wain girls he became
estranged from the family. They had not approved the match,
nevertheless Louis aged 23 married Emily who was ten years
his senior on 30th January 1884.
They obtained a black and white kitten named Peter and
shortly thereafter Louis started to visit the then popular
Cat Shows. His artistic talents had begun to attract some
attention and it was in the Illustrated London News
Christmas edition that the now famous ‘A Kittens Christmas
Party’ appeared.
Sadly Emily had been found to have an incurable disease and
was soon bedridden, she died on the 2nd January 1887 having
shared their life for a short three years. A widower by the
age of 26 and President of the National Cat Club by the
time he was 30, Mr. Wain surely was destined to an eventful
life if perhaps not a happy one.
Reunited and once more living with his family, Louis had
good deal of success illustrating books and postcards, and
including a trip to America. He took a great hand in the
production of the first Stud Book for the National Cat Club
where he continued until at least 1907 as president. In
1914 aged 54 he suffered concussion having been thrown from
a horse drawn bus, necessitating several months rest.
Louis eldest sister died in 1917 and it seems that it is
from this point on that suspicions were aroused regarding
his mental stability. Having always been an eccentric
character this appears to have gone unnoticed for a time,
he began accusing his sisters of robbing him (perhaps not a
delusion!) In the end he was certified insane on 16th June
1924 at 64 years of age.
Other member of his family buried at Kensall Green, Cemetry
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