Charles Holme

Identity:

Charles Holme was the founding editor of anart journal, the Studio. He married Clara Benton in 1873 and they had four children, one of whom eventually took over the editorship of the Studio.

Life:

The son of a silk manufacturer, Holme set himself up successfully in the manufacture of wool. Travels in the Far East led to an abiding interest in Japanese art and craftsmanship and in 1891 he became a founding member of the Japan Society. He left the woollen business in 1892 to found the Studio, a journal of fine and applied arts, the following year. The magazine was a success and achieved a wide circulation. He was in frequent touch with Whistler on matters concerning the publication of his works.

Holme's sure editorial touch led him to promote design and the applied arts, in particular, the work of Aubrey Beardsley and Frank Brangwyn. He also made a feature of producing special numbers of the Studio on different topics. These were also a success and Holme continued to be associated with the magazine until his retirement through ill-health in 1922.

Bibliography:

Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford, 2004, on-line edition (accessed 8 June 2004).