Biography for Henry Tonks

Education

Tonks qualified as a surgeon at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton 1880. In 1888 he enrolled at part-time classes at the Westminster Art School.

Member

Member of the New English Art Club which was formed in 1886 in reaction to the commerical image of the Royal Academy.

Awards

Declined a knighthood.

Employment

Tonks worked as at the London Hospital becoming House Physician in 1886. In 1888 he was appointed Senior Medical Officer at the Royal Free Hospital. A visit to the Gemaldegalerie in Dresden, Germany in 1886 changed his career creating an interest in art. He first exhibited his work in 1891 but remained a surgeon until 1892. From 1893 he taught at the Slade School, and was Slade Professor of Painting from 1918-1930.