Tag Archives: Smyrk

Aug 29 2026

Herbert Moesbury Smyrk (1861–1947)

Stained Glass Artist – Herbert Moesbury Smyrk (1861–1947)

Herbert Moesbury Smyrk was a stained-glass artist with Ferguson & Urie in the mid-1890’s. He was nomadic, and his stained-glass work can be traced across nearly every major Australian studio from the 1880’s to 1947.

Overview

Herbert Mosebury/Moesbury Smyrk was a widely travelled stained-glass artist and designer who worked across England, the United States, Australia and the Pacific. Though he never ran a studio under his own name for long, he supplied designs and glasswork to many of the leading stained-glass firms of his era, and later in life turned to writing and illustration under the pen name “Herbert Moesbury.”

Early Life and Training

  • Born 1 December 1861 at “Brontè Villa,” Guildford, Surrey, England, the seventh child of Charles Frederick Smyrk (a surveyor/auctioneer) and Sarah Ann Miller.
  • Baptised 22 June 1862 as “Herbert Mosebury Smyrk” — the unusual middle name came from his grandmother, Elisabeth Mosebury, but he adapted it to the spelling Moesbury.
  • Trained with leading London stained-glass firms including Heaton, Butler & Bayne; Lavers, Barraud & Westlake; and Gibbs & Moore. A 1935 press profile states he was apprenticed around age 14 to Powell and Shellard after being selected from the Lambeth Schools of Art.
  • The 1881 England census lists him, age 19, as a “Glass Draughtsman” lodging in Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
  • By his own later account, he stowed away on a ship bound for America, worked in New York and then California (Judson Studios, San Francisco) before heading to Australia.

Melbourne (1884–1891)

  • Arrived in Victoria aboard the Chimborazo, reaching Melbourne 23 February 1885, and joined Brooks, Robinson & Co.
  • By 1886 he had partnered with Charles Rogers to form Smyrk & Rogers, 166 Little Collins Street. The firm undercut rival Ferguson & Urie to win the glazing contract for St Mary’s Anglican Church, and exhibited at the 1887 Adelaide International Jubilee Exhibition.
  • Married Laura Elizabeth Davies in Melbourne on 9 July 1888; they had two sons, Rowland Herbert (1888–1953) and Harold Nelson (1889–1956).
  • The Smyrk & Rogers partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in September 1888; Rogers continued the business alone. Smyrk & Rogers completed the stained glass for St Mary’s, North Melbourne, that October.
  • A separate 1888 source (of disputed fit with the timeline) links him to Adelaide and the Adelaide Easel Club around this period, including a window for the original St Augustine’s Church, Unley.
  • Travelled to London and back with his family (1891–92).

Ferguson & Urie, Melbourne (c. 1894–96)

  • Worked as stained-glass artist for Ferguson & Urie, 100 Franklin Street, Melbourne.
  • Attributed works from this period include the C. H. Armytage memorial window at St Mary’s, Balmoral (c. Jan 1895) and the Cr. William Ievers memorial window at St George’s, Carlton (Feb 1896, destroyed by fire in 1924).
  • Also associated with decorative glass for a private residence (“Watersdale”) in North Melbourne (1895) and a Last Supper window for St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Werribee (1896).
  • Contemporary press consistently praised his liberal use of silver stain and his lighter, less heavily painted treatment of glass compared with the norm at Ferguson & Urie.

Adelaide, with E. F. Troy (1896–1898)

  • Engaged by decorative firm E. F. Troy, Flinders Street, Adelaide, as chief designer. Notable commissions include:
  • The “Good Shepherd” memorial window for Father Joseph Peters, St Ignatius’ Church, Norwood (1896).
  • Windows for private clients (C. H. De Rose’s Medindie residence; Delano and Eickhoff commissions).
  • The Ascension and Resurrection windows, St Margaret’s Church, Woodville (1897), memorialising John Bristow Hughes and the Harrison family respectively.
  • A three-light east window (Ascension, Good Shepherd, Light of the World) for St George’s Church, Gawler, in memory of Canon Coombs (1897–98) — reportedly the largest stained-glass window made in South Australia at the time, at a contract price of £200.
  • Windows for the Kent Town Wesleyan Church.
  • Active in the Adelaide Easel Club, exhibiting alongside artists such as Hans Heysen; served as the club’s honorary treasurer until resigning in February 1898 ahead of his return to England.

Perth, with Barnett Bros (1899–1900)

  • Emigrated with his family to Western Australia in 1899 to join Barnett Bros, Hay Street, Perth.
  • Designed “The Good Shepherd,” described locally as the first stained-glass window made in the colony.
  • The same design, exhibited by the WA Commission at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, won a bronze medal — a career highlight.

Sydney and Personal Loss (1901–c.1906)

  • Living in Sydney by 1901.
  • His wife, Laura Elizabeth, died on 7 October 1902 at their Sydney home, aged 33.
  • Returned to England afterwards, joining William Morris & Co. (Ruskin House), Westminster, as a principal glass-painting artist for roughly a decade (sources vary between about 9 and 10 years).

Return to the Pacific, America and Later Career

  • Around 1916 he travelled again to the United States, working extensively in Los Angeles at the Judson Studios, including a major commission (reported as a $50,000 contract for 16 windows in a $1,250,000 church) executed with four assistants over about a year.
  • Spent significant time in Tahiti, an experience he later wrote about at length.
  • By 1914 he was associated with James Sandy & Co., Sydney, as head of their new stained-glass and mural decoration department.
  • Returned to Australia by 1935, joining Frank G. O’Brien Ltd., Waterloo, Sydney, undertaking new commissions including windows and an altarpiece for St Francis’ Church, Paddington.
  • Other firms associated with his work over the decades include R. S. Exton (Brisbane).

Writing and Illustration

  • Adopted the shortened pen name “Herbert Moesbury” for his literary and artistic work.
  • Published The Trader’s Story (Radcliffe Press, Sydney, 1922), an illustrated narrative poem set in the Pacific islands, noted for its restrained, melodic verse; described as the first in a planned series.
  • Contributed illustrated poems to the Weekly Times (December 1922).
  • Wrote “The Scapegoat,” a short story of betrayal and reconciliation set partly in Tahiti, published in The Australian Women’s Weekly (March 1939).
  • In November 1925, two Adelaide papers (The News and The Mail) published his reminiscences of years lived in Tahiti — covering the island’s history (including the Bounty mutiny), Tahitian hospitality and physical vigour (with lengthy quotation of Captain Cook’s 1769 journal), the monotony of the local diet, the prevalence of elephantiasis among long-term white settlers, and his eventual homesickness and departure for San Francisco.

Family Notes

  • Sons Rowland Herbert (1888–1953) and Harold Nelson (1889–1956); Harold later represented Great Britain in diving at the Olympics.
  • A separate Smyrk relative, Leopold Charles “Charlie” Smyrk (1876–1956), was a decorated British Army veteran (Boer War and WWI) and long-serving licensee of the Dolphin Hotel, Guildford — connected to Herbert through their shared Guildford-based family (their fathers/grandfather, Charles Frederick Smyrk, was a Guildford auctioneer and surveyor).

Death and Legacy

  • Died at Woollahra, Sydney, in 1947, aged 85.
  • Never established a lasting studio under his own name, but is credited with designing for numerous major Australian firms (Brooks Robinson, Smyrk & Rogers, Ferguson & Urie, E. F. Troy, Barnett Bros, James Sandy & Co., Frank G. O’Brien Ltd.) across Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney, as well as work in England (William Morris & Co.) and the USA (Judson Studios).
  • His stylistic hallmarks are noted as refined figure drawing, expressive painted faces, English Gothic composition, luminous colour, and a distinctive lightness achieved through silver stain rather than heavy overpainting.
  • Because studio-made windows were typically credited to the manufacturing firm rather than the individual designer, many of his works remain only tentatively attributed, and researchers note his career is still not widely recognised despite its scope.

Compiled from my research collection of newspaper clippings, genealogical records, and museum catalogue entries, with dates and sources as noted in the original clippings from the National Library of Australia’s Trove, Sydney Living Museums, and others.

, , , Herbert Moesbury Smyrk

Short link to this article: https://wp.me/p28nLD-3Ns

© Copyright

Jan 3 2013

17-02-1896: St. George’s Church, Carlton, Victoria.

St George’s Church in Carlton is a bluestone building built in 1855-6 to the design of architects George and Schneider, the foundation stone of which was laid by Bishop James Alipius Goold in 1855. The Church is located on the grounds of the Corpus Christi College in Carlton and now known as the Corpus Christi Chapel.

On Sunday the 16th of February 1896[1], a memorial stained glass window depicting the Crucifixion was unveiled in the south transept of St George’s to the memory of William Ievers, M.L.A[2], who died at Macartney’s private hospital, East Melbourne[3] on the 19th of February 1895.

William Ievers (1839-1895), was the son of William Ievers Snr[4] (1818-1901) and Mary Harrison (c.1819-1898). A native of Ireland, William arrived with his parents and siblings aboard the Rienzi on the 22nd April 1855[5].

An obituary written about him in February 1895[3] significantly details his life but makes no mention of his historical involvement as the Vice President of the Carlton Football Club between 1890-1894[6].

A plaque affixed to the gate of the Corpus Christie College gate in Drumond street Carlton includes a reference to the Ievers stained glass window as being by Ferguson & Urie;

“…in 1896 a memorial stained glass window to local Councillor William Ievers, designed by the prominent firm of Ferguson and Urie was installed in the south transept…”

News articles from 1896 indicate that the stained glass window was designed by “Mr. Smyrk”, (Herbert Moesbury Smyrk (1861-1947), who was formerly of the stained glass firm of Smyrk & Rogers (partnership dissolved in 1888). At the time the Ievers memorial window was made, Smyrk was then in the employ of Ferguson & Urie.

On the 12th of November 1924, St George’s church was gutted by fire[7] and the William Ievers stained glass window is not known to have survived.

Other memorials to members of the Ievers family include the William Ievers memorial drinking fountain[8] erected in his name by his brother George Hawkins Ievers, in Macarthur Square, Rathdowne Street, Carlton. George also erected another fountain to his father William Ievers Snr in Argyle Square Carlton[9] and his own memorial fountain is at the Corner of Gatehouse Street and Royal Parade, Parkville[10]

The Ievers family home, named after their roots in Ireland, “Mount Ievers”, was located at 521 Royal Parade in Parkville but was demolished circa 1975.

The Ievers family grave and monument still exists at the Melbourne General Cemetery,Roman Catholic,, Section Q, Grave 304/305.

These photos were taken on various dates in 2012. The photo of “Mount Ievers” mansion, at 521 Royal Parade Parkville is from from the SLV and dated prior to 1975.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Transcriptions:

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 20th February 1895, page 5.

DEATH OF MR. IEVERS, M.L.A.

“Though not unexpected, the announcement of the death of Councillor William Ievers, jun., M.L.A, which occurred last night at Miss Macartney’s private hospital, East Melbourne, will be received generally with feelings of deep regret. A fortnight ago an operation of a painful and serious nature was performed upon Mr. Ievers, and though at the time he appeared likely to recover, he subsequently developed symptoms which alarmed his friends and caused his medical adviser, Mr. Charles Ryan, to fear that there was little hope that he would live. On Monday evening he improved somewhat, but yesterday morning suffered a relapse, and hope was finally abandoned. At 8 o’clock at night he died, surrounded by the members of his family. The cause of his death was urenic poisoning, due to failure of the kidneys. Mr. Ievers was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1844 [sic: 1839[11]], and came with his father (who is still living and well known in Melbourne) to Victoria in 1855. As a junior he entered the warehouse of Messrs. William Watson and Sons, and remained there until about 1880. By that time he had mounted step by step to be head of one of the departments. When he left the warehouse he joined the firm of his father and brothers, Messrs. William Ievers and Sons, auctioneers, estate, and commission agents, of Collins-street and Carlton. About the same time he was elected a member of the City Council for Smith Ward, and retained the seat up to the time of his death. He sought to enter the Assembly for the Carlton electorate, but was twice beaten. Then when the electorate was subdivided he contested the seat for Carlton South, and after one unsuccessful attempt he unseated Mr. W. H. Leonard at the 1892 election. At the last election he held the seat against the opposition of Mr. Thompson, securing a large majority of votes. In the Assembly Mr. Ievers sat in the Ministerial Corner, and since he rose but seldom to address the House, and then only on subjects with which he was thoroughly conversant, he was invariably listened to with respect. During the last session he was appointed chairman of the banking Commission, but owing to his ill-health was unable to preside at their meetings. Mr. Ievers was a representative of the Melbourne City Council on the Metropolitan Board of Works, and he was also a justice of the peace. He was un-married, and resided with his parents at Mount Ievers, Sydney-road, Parkville. He was very much respected as an honourable and an upright man. He took part in many social organisations specifically formed to promote intellectual advancement, and always evinced a keen interest in the study of the great authors. For many years he was a prominent oarsman, but his exercise on the river had a very painful ending. He was sculling up stream one day, and was run into by another sculler, the bow of whose boat struck him on the spine, and caused what were for a time serious injuries.”

Advocate, Melbourne, Vic, Saturday 15th February 1896, page 16.

“ST. GEORGE’S, CARLTON
A stained glass window to the memory of the late Cr. Wm. Ievers, M.P., has been erected in St. George’s Church, with which the family of the deceased gentleman have been very intimately connected since the foundation of the building was laid. Mr. Wm. Ievers, jun., to whose memory this mark of respect is paid, was himself associated with St. George’s Church since his boyhood, and he and other members of his family have always taken a deep and practical interest in Catholic affairs in the district of Carlton. The memorial is a three light window, which replaces the one heretofore in the southern transept. The centre light contains a representation of the crucifixion, the side lights being filled with a modern treatment of ecclesiastical ornament. On the right of the crucifixion is the inscription:- “He was wounded for our iniquities, and by His bruises we are healed;” and on the left:- “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for their works follow them.” The record reads:- “In memoriam, William Ievers, Jun., M.P., J.P.” The treatment of the crucifixion in the centre light does not show the Saviour in the hands of the Jew and Roman ignorantly and maliciously fulfilling the mysteries of Redemption, but is strictly devotional in character. Christ is depicted as dead, and the figures of the B. Virgin and St. John stand motionless on either side in subdued sorrow, while Magdalene kneels gravely at the foot of the cross. The colouring is very rich in treatment – yet with a beautiful soft harmony throughout. The work has been carried out by Messrs Ferguson and Urie, from the designs of Mr. H. Smyrk, and to the order of Cr. William Ievers, the father of the deceased gentleman. The memorial will be unveiled at the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday, 16th inst., when panegyric of the deceased will be preached by the Rev. Isaac Moore, S.J.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 17th February 1896, page 5.

“MEMORIAL TO THE LATE MR IEVERS, M.L.A.

SERMON BY FATHER MOORE.

A special service was rendered yesterday morning at St. George’s Church, Carlton, in memory of the late Mr. William Ievers, M.L.A., who died on February 19, 1895. A fine stained-glass window has been erected in the southern transept of the church by the members of the late Mr. Ievers’s family, and, while it harmonises well with the beautiful interior of the church, serves also as an enduring memorial of the deceased gentleman. It is a three-light window, the centre light showing the principal design, which consists of a representation of the Crucifixion. The colouring is rich but subdued, and the figures of the crucified Christ and of the mourners at the foot of the cross stand out sharp and distinct in every detail. A suggestion of the distant city of Jerusalem rising behind the hill of Calvary is a new feature introduced into the composition by the artist, Mr. Smyrk, who designed the work, which has been carried out by the well known firm of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie. There was a crowded congregation, and the special sermon was preached by the Rev. Isaac Moore, S. J….”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 13th November 1924, page 8.

“Fire in Old Church”.

“An old Melbourne landmark will probably disappear as the result of a fire last evening, when the St. George’s Roman Catholic Church, in Drummond street, Carlton, which was built in 1855, and was used as a boy’s schoolroom, was almost completely destroyed. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. The school was securely locked at a quarter to 5 o’clock, and at 6 o’clock the housekeeper of the Presbytery, which adjoins the old church, saw smoke issuing from a ventilator on the roof. Five minutes later the building was a mass of flame. The head fire station at Eastern Hill was notified, and a large detachment of men was soon on the spot. The firemen were greatly hampered in their work by the intense heat, for, although the outer walls of the church are constructed of bluestone blocks, it was lined with wood, and the roof was stayed with old wooden rafters, which burned fiercely. Many children were playing in the grounds at the time, and some were endangered by the flying sparks. Several hoses were played on the heart of the fire, which was at the eastern end of the building, but it was some time before the firemen were able to get close enough to break down the doors and enter. When they could do so they concentrated a stream of water on to the blazing rafters, and the outbreak was soon subdued. The building contained desks, black boards, and the usual furnishings of a school room, most of which were destroyed. The inner walls were severely damaged, and gaping holes were left in the roof. The building and contents were insured with the Catholic Church Insurance Co., for £1,500, but it is not thought that this amount will cover the damage. The chief fire officer (Mr. Harris B. Lee), who was early on the scene, said that it was extraordinary that although hundreds of people must have seen the flames, nobody gave the alarm until the fire was noticed by the housekeeper. The building, which was constructed as a schoolroom in 1897, accommodated 220 pupils”.

External links:

Biography: William Ievers Snr (1818-1901)

An interesting history of William Ievers Snr (1818-1901), is detailed in a book he wrote in 1894 titled  “Fifty Years After; or, Old Scenes Revisited.” Extracts were republished in The Old Limerick Journal under the titles of,  William Ievers: Old Scenes Revisited and A visit to Paris 1890. His son William Ievers Jnr (1839-1895), referred to as “Willie”, accompanied his father on the journey back to Ireland in 1890 and the book was a result of William Snr’s journals.

Footnotes: