Biography for Edward Bawden CBE RA (1903 - 1989)

Early Life

Bawden was born on 10 March 1903 at Braintree, Essex, the only child of Edward Bawden, an ironmonger, and Eleanor Bawden (née Game). His parents were Methodist Christians. A solitary child, he spent much time drawing or wandering with butterfly-net and microscope

Mid life career

Bawden taught at the Royal College of Art, where he had been a student, worked as a commercial artist and served as a war artist in World War Two. He was a fine watercolour painter but worked in many different media. He illustrated several books and painted murals in both the 1930s and 1960s. He was admired by Edward Gorey, David Gentleman and other graphic artists, and his work and career is often associated with that of his contemporary Eric Ravilious

Personal Life

Edward Bawden was married to the potter and artist, Charlotte Bawden (née Epton). Together they were principal members of the Great Bardfield Artists, a community of artists influential in the art scene of England during the mid-20th century

Awards

1946 – Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)[32]
1947 – Associate of the Royal Academy
1949 – Royal Designer for Industry (RSA)[33]
1949/50 – Guest instructor for the Summers of 1949/50 at the Banff School of Fine Art, Canada
1951 – Trustee of the Tate Gallery (1951–1958
1956 – Elected Royal Academician
1962 – Honorary Associate of Manchester College of Art
1963 – Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Art
1964 – Silver Medal from the Society of Industrial Artists
1970 – Honorary Doctorate from the Royal College of Art[32]
1974 – Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex[34]
1979 – Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers

Awards