A PORTRAIT OF WALTER MORRISON (1836–1921) TREASURER OF THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND FOR 54 YEARS, RADICAL REFORMER AND SECRET PHILANTHROPIST

Abstract

Walter Morrison (1836–1921) was the treasurer of the Palestine Exploration Fund for 54 years. He was also a major benefactor, funding expeditions, purchasing drawings for the collection, and giving the PEF their house in Hinde Street, Marylebone. This article draws on material from the Morrison archive to provide a fuller picture of Walter, millionaire, radical politician, generous philanthropist, scholar and landowner. His interest in the Bible Lands, Byzantine and the Near East was formed at Balliol where he was taught by the charismatic Benjamin Jowett; his passion for Yorkshire was formed after he inherited the estate of Malham in Yorkshire; his belief in co-operation, parliamentary reform, and religious toleration informed his contribution to the House of Commons and his choice of friends. His obituary in The Times summed him up perfectly, a “man of simple personal tastes [with] an acute sense of the responsibilities of wealth”.

Keywords:

• Walter Morrison
• Giggleswick
• Malham
• Palestine Exploration Fund
• House of Commons
• Co-operative Movement
• Industrial Dwellings

Notes

1 Walter Morrison's will was drawn up in 1912 with codicils added in 1916, 1919, 1920, and three in 1921. His butler William Skirrow and his wife Martha received £6000; his Malham gardener George Petty £1000; groom Robert Battersby £1000; housekeeper Bella Lodge £1000; steward John Whittingdale Winskill £1000. All the remaining servants at 53 Coleman Street, Cromwell Road and Malham shared £10,000. Robert Cooper, formerly of Coleman Street, received £20,000 and a generous annuity; J. H. Mann of Coleman Street received £4000.