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The life of Henry Mundy
Biography
Henry Mundy earned his living through painting, music and teaching. Born in London, England, with January 9, 1798 given in the scholarly Australharmony register, he reached Hobart, in Van Diemen’s Land, now Tasmania, Australia, aboard the Vibilia on August 22, 1831. He had been engaged to teach at Ellinthorp Hall, a girls’ school near Ross in the island’s interior. On January 28, 1834 he married his former student Lavinia Lord at Sorell.
At Ellinthorp he taught drawing, French and music. The school also brought him into contact with families who commissioned portraits. By 1838 he was working in Launceston, in northern Tasmania, where his patrons included the Archer, Lawrence and Kermode families. His portraits of Robert and Martha Kermode, painted around 1840, are now in the National Portrait Gallery.
Mundy also composed quadrilles and waltzes dedicated to his pupils. Their scores were published in London in 1838 and 1839 and sold in Hobart and Launceston.
As demand for portraits declined, he sought work elsewhere. He tried farming near Little Swanport on the island’s east coast and advertised art and music lessons in Hobart. Although his painting continued to receive favourable attention, his finances and health deteriorated. He died at the Ship Hotel in Collins Street, Hobart, on March 24, 1848 after taking laudanum.
Images & documents
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Eight Sets of Quadrilles cover and Fourth Set score, reproduced from Sims2014 by permission; no permission transfer assumed.
View source ↗Family relationships
A life in dates
11 events
- Connection to this place
Arrival work and death — Hobart / Hobart Town.
Hobart / Hobart Town
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Arrived at Hobart aboard the Vibilia, which had departed London on April 13, 1831, according to the scholarly register.
Hobart / Hobart Town
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By 1838 Henry was working in Launceston, Tasmania, with patrons including the Archer, Lawrence and Kermode families.
Launceston
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Scores of his quadrilles and waltzes were published in London in 1838 and 1839 and sold in Hobart and Launceston.
- Portraits
Painted Robert and Martha Kermode around 1840; their portraits are held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Van Diemen's Land / Tasmania
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Teaching — Ellinthorp Hall.
Ellinthorp Hall, Tasmania, Australia
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Farming — Little Swanport / Seaford.
Little Swanport / Seaford, Tasmania, Australia
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Probable portrait production — Van Diemen's Land / Tasmania.
Van Diemen's Land / Tasmania
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Notes & sources
Family records
- Australharmony Henry and Lavinia Mundy
- DNA consolidated biography and timeline evidence and decisions
- Henry Mundy compiled tree
- Jason suppliedGeniLord/Mundyfamilyextract
- Joanna Gilmour,Fits of delicacy and despair,1Dec2009
- Peter Sims archive finding aid CHS037