Edward Davies

• General Notes
  • Edward Davies was born in Newport, Wales, on 12th. April 1852. He came to Melbourne with his parents while an infant. His father was a tanner, and started operations on the Yarra River at Richmond, and was one of the pioneers of the industry in Victoria. He was educated mainly at the model school near Parliament House, Melbourne. He worked in the tannery and was given tuition in drawing by Joseph Lambert. At the age of 15 he started at the Architectural / civil engineering and surveying office of Albert Purchas, and served a five year apprenticeship. He also studied art and the science of building for 18 months.
    
    In about 1873 he joined the Victorian Education Department as an architectural draftsman under H.R. Barton, F.J. Smart amd A.M. Henderson.
    
    He came to Adelaide in 1876 as a senior draftsman in the Education Department, under J.E. Woods for years. He won second prize for his design of what is now known as the Government Offices in Victoria Square.
    
    He then joined James Cumming as a draftsman and won a competition for the design of the Clayton Congregational Church, located on Norwood Parade. He also won a competition for the design of the East Adelaide Congregational Church.
    
    He commenced business on his own in 1884. He designed many important Adelaide buildings, including the Commercial Bank, the offices of the National Mutual Life Association in King William Street and the Savings Bank in Currie Street. In 1906 C.W. Rutt, who was his pupil, was taken into partnership, the firm being known as Edward Davies and Rutt.
    
    Davies began a study of landscape painting shortly after his arrival in Adelaide, and became a member of the Adelaide Art Circle. Later he joined the Adelaide Easel Club, which amalgamated with the South Australian Society of Arts, and was a past president of that organisation. He was an artist of no mean order. A painting called "Shady Pastures" , 1911, is in the National Gallery. Another, "Lockleys" was shown in a society of arts exhibition in Adelaide.
    
    He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery. He was a Freemason, and a foundation member of the S.A. Institute of Architects, serving on the Council as President and Vice President.
    
    He was married twice and had five sons and four daughters. His first wife died in 1902 and he continued to live in his house, Nesfield, which he built in about 1890. In 1909 the house was sold to the McEwin’s in 1913 and remained in their family for over fifty years. This house is located at 353 Marion Road, North Plympton.
    
    As a man, Davies has been described by an eminent contemporary, Sir William Sowden, as a litterateur with a strongly emotional nature, and a lovable and tender disposition. He spoke German fluently, wrote poetry and was brilliant in conversation and an effective public speaker. He numbered amongst his friends Paris Nesbit and Sir Arthur Steeton.
    
    
    

Click here for details of Edward's family with Rhoda Catherine  Sexton

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