Thomas Seccombe

“ In 1846 he began working for the ‘Art Journal,’ and, having drawn attention to the shortcomings of the National Gallery catalogues then in circulation, he was authorised by Sir Robert Peel to compile an official catalogue. ”

“ Wornum edited and practically rewrote a ‘Biographical Catalogue of the Principal Italian Painters,’ ‘by a lady’ (Maria Farquhar) , while in 1856 he contributed the ‘Lives’ of native artists to Creasy's ‘British Empire’ (London, 8vo) . In 1860−1 Wornum was chiefly instrumental in getting the Turner collections, which had been banished first to Marlborough House, and then to South Kensington (1856−60) , restored to their place in the National Gallery, in accordance with the terms of the artist's bequest. ”

“ Times, 18 and 19 Dec. 1877; Art Journal, 1878, p. 75; Athenæum, 1877, ii. 823; English Cyclopædia; Men of the Reign; Bryan's Dict. of Painters and Engravers, ii. 730; Cat. of Eastlake Library at National Gallery. ”