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Abstract
William Archer, London theater critic for The World, reluctantly served as art critic in 1895–86. Archer invited his friend George Bernard Shaw to galleries to share his ideas. Archer's art criticism began January 1985. Archer sent a check to Shaw in December to pay for his ideas, but Shaw refused payment. Through letters and diaries, it is proven that Shaw had an influence on Archer's art criticism and that he accompanied Archer regularly on the tours of the art galleries. Shaw was hired in Archer's place as art critic for The World February 1886. Shaw's influence on Archer is shown by comparing the art criticism of Archer to that of Shaw, through similarities in their writing. Archer, following Shaw's example of confidence, even in an area he was not an expert, eventually found his voice and became confident as an art critic. He later became a profound influence on Shaw throughout the years, getting him started in playwriting, chiding him to be a better playwright, and leading out in a number of causes. This confidence of Archer's was bolstered possibly because of the 1885–86 experience, as he had only written confidently in his own field, prior to that. This dissertation examines and presents Archer's art criticism articles from The World in 1885–86. These articles have not been published or available outside of London before this time. Shaw's writing is compared with Archer's articles, lining up quotations side-by-side, showing Shaw's influence on Archer. A large group of excerpts of art criticism articles from contemporary newspapers is presented for comparison. Excerpts from letters and journals are included, some of which have not been available. The articles, letters, and diaries of the time refute some of Archer's and Shaws later writings of this incident; and other errors published as fact in numerous collections about these two men and their art criticism relationship. Information and samples of art in London are provided. This study provides insight on 1885–86 London, knowledge of theater-related artwork, and the opportunity to look at an through the eyes of intelligent theater personalities.
