Library & Archives Blog – Albert Pile Christmas Cards

As part of my ‘A Whitby Christmas’ outreach sessions my presentation included Albert Pile’s personally sketched Christmas cards that he would send to family and friends. He enjoyed walking and sketching and this, I think, is evident in what features in his Christmas Cards

In brief he was born in London in 1882, educated at Kings College and during World War One served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Albert married late in life, had no children and moved to Whitby in his retirement years. Read more about Albert Pile

Albert painted and sketched purely for pleasure and was prolific during the demolition years of Whitby documenting the demise of famous Ghauts, yards off Church Street, Boulby Bank, Haggersgate and the Fish Quay. Through his sketches and paintings he caught the people, scenery and happening life. The archive holds a collection of sketches and more can be viewed in the Whitby Museum as you walk towards the Tea Room.

If you are interested in looking more closely at some of his sketchers visit us in the Library in the New Year.

Claire Marris Archive Development Officer

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