Undoubtedly less well-known than his footballer namesake,
Scottish born artist Robert Fowler’s works have commanded significant prices at
auction over the years and his Castle Street studio in Liverpool was a focal
point for writers, artists and musicians in the last years of the 19th
century.
He was born in Cellardyke, Fife in 1850, his father William
being a marine superintendent who brought his family to Liverpool around 1860.
After attending the Liverpool College Robert began work in a commercial office.
His talent for art was recognised by his employer upon whose recommendation
Robert’s parents sent him to the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London.
Moving back to Liverpool he made his Castle Street studio his base for several
decades before moving to London in the early 1900’s. Amongst his commissions
was the illustration of works by G.A.Henty, the renowned Victorian author of
adventure fiction.
At the time of the 1881 census the Fowler family was living
at 5 Tynwald Hill L13 (now demolished) . After his marriage Fowler lived with his family at 13
Derwent Road L13. He died in 1926.
