Wilmer – Hoffman – Deford photograph collection

The Wilmer- Deford – Hoffman Photo Collection spans at least a century and includes photos of five separate families. Though there are recurring images of many individuals throughout the collection, there are a few who have helped to shape the content and character of this collection – their lives will be given greater detail here.

Admiral Mark Milbank of the British Royal Navy (1725? – 1805) was the third son of Sir Ralph Milbank, fourth baronet of Halnaby, Yorkshire. He rose quickly through the ranks of the Royal Navy, after leaving the academy at Portsmouth in 1740 or 1741 he was quickly made a lieutenant (1744 April), then soon after given command of a sloop (1746 October). After being given command of successively larger ships, Milbank was promoted on 1779 March 19 to rear admiral of the white, and on 1780 September 26 he was promoted again to vice-admiral of the blue. Milbank was given a fleet two years later under Lord Howe. The rest of Milbanks’ career was equally illustrious and saw him serve as port-admiral at Plymouth (1783 – 1786), as commander-in-chief at Newfoundland (1790 – 1792), promoted to the rank of full admiral (1793 February 1), and serve as commander-in-chief at Portsmouth (1799 – 1803).

A few of the miniatures photographed in this collection can be seen in a related collection, MS 3079, Wilmer – Hoffman – Deford Manuscript Collection, in a book of illustrations about the Curzon family on both sides of the Atlantic. R.C. Hoffman’s correspondence with the Earl Curzon of Keddleston regarding the book can also be found in MS 3079. There are no photos of R.C. Hoffman in this particular collection, but there is one of his wife, Eliza Laurence Hoffman (nee Dallam). Also included are a portrait and a photo of a miniature depicting R.C. Hoffman’s mother – Mrs Samuel Hoffman (nee Elizabeth Rebecca ‘Becca’ Curzon).

There is also a picture of Wilmer Hoffman, son of R.C. and Eliza Hoffman in this collection. Born on 1889 August 1, Wilmer Hoffman grew up in Baltimore, training as an artist first at the Maryland Institute and then at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia for four years. After his time in Philadelphia, Hoffman was awarded the Cresson Traveling Fellowship (twice) and spent two years traveling through Europe before settling in Paris for the next 14 years. When France fell to Germany in 1939 Wilmer Hoffman returned to America and bought a house in Charleston, South Carolina. There Hoffman continued his work as a successful artist and remained a resident of Charleston until his death on 1954 May 21. The photo, though unlabeled, shows Hoffman working on one of his sculptures. Another view of this sculpture can be seen in MS 3079, included in the pictures of Wilmer Hoffman’s posthumous art show.