This is a copy of an article from the English Heritage Magazine, World Heritage Site
JAMES IRWIN COATES
A unique archive of drawings of Hadrian's Wall came to the attention of Alan Whitworth (Hadrian's Wall Unit). The drawings cover the entire length of the Wall from Wallsend to Bowness and were produced between 1877 and 1896. There are 165 views of the Wall, forts, milecastles and turrets produced in a sepia colour wash. The drawings have been stored in the library of Ackworth School in West Yorkshire since 1948 when they were presented to them by the sons of the artist James Irwin Coates.
Coates (1848-1925) a pupil of the Society of Friends (Quakers) School at Ackworth between 1858-1863, trained as a student teacher and then became a form master there, lecturing in chemistry and astronomy. On leaving Ackworth he built his own school at Headingly Hill. After studying in Dublin he became ordained in the Episcopal Church.
He had a great interest in archaeology and made a total of 9 visits to the Wall over a period of 19 years to produce this unique and important archive. His compilation of drawings from his trips to the Wall show a capacity for detailed and accurate observation. The end of the last century was one of great antiquarian and archaeological interest in the Wall as more and more 'men of learning' realised the importance of the monument and the light it could throw on the frontier of the Roman Empire. At the time men such as John Clayton and John Collingwood Bruce were at work on excavations to uncover the remains. Hard on their heels was Coates compiling his ever increasing portfolio of drawings.
Heddon on the Wall 1879 (courtesy of
Ackworth School) Heddon on the Wall 1998 (courtesy of Alan
Whitworth)
On his first visit in 1877 he made 51 drawings westwards
from Newcastle including not only Chesters, Housesteads,
Vindolanda, Birdoswald and Bowness but also places such
as Black Carts, Thirlwell, Gilsland and Grinsdale. Two
years later (1879) he made 60 drawings in 40 locations
across the line of the WaIl. 6 other visits were made
between 1881 and 1896. A number of the views are no
longer visible due to modern urban developments or
agricultural works so the drawings offer a further
insight into how parts of the Wall looked over 100 years
ago. Besides drawing the Wall, Coates also recorded
excavation 'finds' which were being unearthed, including
altars, urns, vases and statues as well as making several
groundplans of various sites and cross-sections of the
vallum. This is without doubt one of the most important
archives of early drawings of Hadrian's Wall which have
come to light this century and will make a valuable
contribution to future Wall studies and understanding.
The Hadrian's Wall Co-ordination Unit has made a complete record set of photographs and slides of this previously unknown collection. It is the intention to eventually house these in the National Monuments Records Office so that they can be available to the public. For more information, please send an email request to alan.whitworth@english-heritage.org.uk.
The original drawings and copyright have been retained by the school.
English Heritage wish to acknowledge the invaluable help provided by the school.