Identity:

William James Galloway was recorded in the 1881 census as living at 2 Compton Terrace, Islington, with his 30 year old wife Kate, who was born in Worthing, and their six daughters and two sons.

Life:

Galloway appears to have been a fairly prosperous collector. In 1881 in his business as a baker and confectioner he was employing four boys.

Three Whistler drawings from his collection were sold after his death, at auction at Sotheby's, London, 23 March 1897 (lots 160-162), San Rocco (M.772), Nude Study and Draped Study. The Venice pastel may have been bought as early as 1881 and was certainly in Galloway's possession by 1886.

Bibliography:

UK census 1881, from http://www.familysearch.org (accessed 2004); Nude and draped studies (M.1484)