George Vivian (artist)

[4] Vivian made early travels to Vienna and the Balkans in 1818, and Albania in 1819 (when he met Ali Pasha of Ioánnina (1740–1822)).

[10] The Commission arose from an initial proposal and Select Committee of Benjamin Hawes, to couple the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament with a national promotion of the fine arts.

In a group of 22 dominated by noblemen, patrons and politicians, Vivian represented connoisseurs and collectors, alongside Samuel Rogers and Thomas Wyse.

[22] John Vivian (1756–1828), from a Cornish background, matriculated at St Mary Hall, Oxford in 1779, at age 22, graduating M.A.

[29][30] The new Manor commissioned by John Vivian was on a fresh site, some 400 metres (1,300 ft) away from the old house, and built in a neo-classical style, using Bath stone.

[33] Vivian added a gallery in the south wing of Claverton Manor, to display his art collection.

[1] He was a significant collector, owning in particular The Introduction of the Cult of Cybele at Rome by Andrea Mantegna, now in the National Gallery, London; he acquired it from the Venetian dealer Antonio Sanquirico.

[40][41] Since 1961 Claverton Manor has been the home of the American Museum, and its 30 acres of gardens are open to the public.

[45][46][47][48] The Greys of Backworth, in the Tynemouth area, owned coal rights, and were bought out by Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland.

[50] George and Elizabeth Anne Vivian lived in Italy from 1844 to 1846, and their only son Ralph, who became an army officer, was born there.

[56] In 1892 he married Susan Lawrence née Endicott, widow of Marshall Owen Roberts.