The above image of Largo Pier and Harbour was created around 1875 and is an engraving by William Ballingall. It features on the back cover of the 'Seatoun of Largo' book by Ivy Jardine. Ballingall was born in Largo in 1840 to parents William (a linen weaver) and Jean. He had seven siblings: younger brothers George, Alexander, David, John and James, and sisters Christina and Betsy. William senior, who was born in 1817 and was a lifelong linen weaver, was also a keen amateur astronomer, as the Fife Herald of 17 Dec 1884 explained:
"William Ballingall, Mr Grierson wrote to Dr Smiles, is a weaver in the town of Lower Largo, Fifeshire; and from his early days he has made astronomy the subject of passionate study. I used to spend my school vacation at Largo, and have frequently heard him expound upon his favourite subject. I believe that very high opinions have been expressed by scientific gentlemen regarding Ballingall's attainments. They were no doubt surprised that an individual with a very limited amount of education, and whose hours of labour were from five in the morning until ten or eleven at night, should be able to acquire so much knowledge on so profound a subject. Had he possessed a fair amount of education, and an assortment of scientific instruments and books, the world would have heard more about him."
William senior lived to the age of 87, passing away a widower at Wood's Hospital, Upper Largo in 1904.
Returning to William junior, by 1861, he was lodging in Cowcaddens Street in Glasgow, while working as a wood engraver. His fellow lodgers included a carver and gilder, a printer's compositor, a commercial clerk and a saddler. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Edinburgh and on 11 November 1864 married Elizabeth Stewart (daughter of sawyer John Stewart) there. The couple settled in the capital and started their family there. The 1871 census finds William working as an engraver and living at 35 Cockburn Street, with wife Elizabeth, children William and George, plus his brothers Alexander (also an engraver) and David (a tailor).
"William Ballingall, Mr Grierson wrote to Dr Smiles, is a weaver in the town of Lower Largo, Fifeshire; and from his early days he has made astronomy the subject of passionate study. I used to spend my school vacation at Largo, and have frequently heard him expound upon his favourite subject. I believe that very high opinions have been expressed by scientific gentlemen regarding Ballingall's attainments. They were no doubt surprised that an individual with a very limited amount of education, and whose hours of labour were from five in the morning until ten or eleven at night, should be able to acquire so much knowledge on so profound a subject. Had he possessed a fair amount of education, and an assortment of scientific instruments and books, the world would have heard more about him."
William senior lived to the age of 87, passing away a widower at Wood's Hospital, Upper Largo in 1904.
Returning to William junior, by 1861, he was lodging in Cowcaddens Street in Glasgow, while working as a wood engraver. His fellow lodgers included a carver and gilder, a printer's compositor, a commercial clerk and a saddler. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Edinburgh and on 11 November 1864 married Elizabeth Stewart (daughter of sawyer John Stewart) there. The couple settled in the capital and started their family there. The 1871 census finds William working as an engraver and living at 35 Cockburn Street, with wife Elizabeth, children William and George, plus his brothers Alexander (also an engraver) and David (a tailor).
The next year, 1872, saw the publication of William Ballingall's book "The Shores of Fife", featuring one hundred original drawings (see advert above from 3 October Fife Herald). The volume was dedicated to Sir Robert Anstruther of Balcaskie, Lord Lieutenant of Fife, and was a "labour of love, in which he wrought incessantly for four or five years". A selection of images from the Largo area were included in the book (for example, Largo Kirk, Sir Andrew Wood's Tower, Alexander Selkirk's cottage, Pitcruvie Castle and the Standin' Stanes of Lundin (shown below along with the preface which expresses Ballingall's affection for the Kingdom of Fife)).
The 1870s seemed to have been good years for the Ballingalls. Daughters Elizabeth and Edina were born and in 1875, another book was published featuring William's work: 'Classic Scenes in Scotland by Modern Artists engraved by William Ballingall'. This was followed in 1877 by the publication of 'Edinburgh Past and Present' (see below).
However, circumstances soon changed. By 1881, the family had relocated to Camberwell in London. In December 1882 William Ballingall's health took a downturn, being "laid aside by an illness of a very serious character, attended by a perilous operation" (Greenock Telegraph).
Also around this time the art of wood engraving was under threat from both new methods of mechanical reproductions of drawings and by photography.
However, circumstances soon changed. By 1881, the family had relocated to Camberwell in London. In December 1882 William Ballingall's health took a downturn, being "laid aside by an illness of a very serious character, attended by a perilous operation" (Greenock Telegraph).
Also around this time the art of wood engraving was under threat from both new methods of mechanical reproductions of drawings and by photography.
The Western Daily Press of 7 Nov 1892 reports how William Ballingall had struggled by then for some time:
"The new processes invented for producing engraving blocks and illustrations of various sorts, while threatening the very existence of the art of wood engraving, have destroyed the livelihood of many skilled workers in that art. Lovers of artistic engraving, and especially Scottish lovers of art, will hear with concern that amongst the greatest sufferers from the revolution that has taken place in the illustration of books and journals is the distinguished Scottish artist Mr William Ballingall. In consequence of the falling away of the demand for high class work by which he made his name, Mr Ballingall, after a courageous struggle against misfortune and illness, finds himself reduced to absolute want. For ten years past a confirmed invalid, with the anxieties and cares of a family, added to a heavy burden of sickness and pain, he has done his best to make a livelihood by his calling. Under those circumstances an endeavour is being made by friends of the unfortunate artist and admirers of his work and character to raise a fund sufficient to establish him in a modest way in some light business - it is proposed as a bookseller or stationer."
He was still in London at this time, with his wife and their two youngest children (David born 1880 and Violet born 1883). The piece below from the 17 Dec 1892 Blackburn Standard refers to the fund started for Ballingall.
"The new processes invented for producing engraving blocks and illustrations of various sorts, while threatening the very existence of the art of wood engraving, have destroyed the livelihood of many skilled workers in that art. Lovers of artistic engraving, and especially Scottish lovers of art, will hear with concern that amongst the greatest sufferers from the revolution that has taken place in the illustration of books and journals is the distinguished Scottish artist Mr William Ballingall. In consequence of the falling away of the demand for high class work by which he made his name, Mr Ballingall, after a courageous struggle against misfortune and illness, finds himself reduced to absolute want. For ten years past a confirmed invalid, with the anxieties and cares of a family, added to a heavy burden of sickness and pain, he has done his best to make a livelihood by his calling. Under those circumstances an endeavour is being made by friends of the unfortunate artist and admirers of his work and character to raise a fund sufficient to establish him in a modest way in some light business - it is proposed as a bookseller or stationer."
He was still in London at this time, with his wife and their two youngest children (David born 1880 and Violet born 1883). The piece below from the 17 Dec 1892 Blackburn Standard refers to the fund started for Ballingall.
It does not appear that William switched career as planned, however, as in the 1901 census he is still occupied as an "artist and engraver on wood", aged 61, now in Edmonton, London (with his wife and daughter Violet). A move to Edinburgh took place by 1905, when the three settled in Colinton. William lived in Edinburgh until 1919 (and reached the age of 78), his wife surviving until 1934 (and to age 90). Violet lived until 1963 and was 81 years old when she passed away. Throughout a life of ups and downs, William was a true artist, known for his "softness and delicacy of touch, for the wonderful manipulation of light and shade", and he reached the highest capability in wood engraving (Dundee People's Journal 12 Oct 1872). The art of wood engraving may have all but died out but happily we can still enjoy the results of his painstaking artistic endeavours today.
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