John Edward Taylor (1830–1905), a newspaper proprietor, editor and art collector, was the younger son of John Edward Taylor (1791–1844), founder of the Manchester Guardian. He was a guarantor of the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition in 1857 and he lent works to the Manchester Royal Jubilee Exhibition of 1887 and to the Burlington Fine Arts Club, of which he was an active member. In 1892 he gave a choice selection of over 150 of the finest watercolours in his collection to the newly created Whitworth Institute in Manchester, now The Whitworth, including ten by Girtin. The gift of seminal works such Durham Cathedral and Castle, from the River Wear (TG1074) and The West Front of Peterborough Cathedral (TG1020) helped to make the Whitworth one of the most comprehensive collections of the artist’s work in the country.

1799

Durham Cathedral and Castle, from the River Wear

TG1074

(?) 1796

The West Front of Peterborough Cathedral

TG1020