Charlotte Schreiber and the Mississauga Connection

Charlotte Mount Brock Morrell was born in Essex, England in 1834. She studied art in London, where she enjoyed the friendship and instruction of renowned artist John Rogers Herbert. By 1855 she was exhibiting at the Royal Academy where she continued to show her work until she immigrated to Canada. Illustrative work included the drawings for The Legend of the Knight of the Red Cross.

One of Charlotte’s first paintings was completed in 1855 and is called “Charity”. This painting’s main subject matter is the concern for the lot of society, and the misfortunes and miseries of the poor. “Weary, Friendless and Forsaken”, done in 1863, depicts the suffering of women. Another very famous painting is “Joan of Arc (Praying Before a Battle)”, painted in 1872. “Christabel”, painted in 1874, is based on a poem by Samuel Coleridge and it is designed to inspire the viewer’s emotion.

Charlotte Schreiber in studio at Mount Woodham, c1900

In 1875 she married her cousin, Weymouth George Schreiber, and returned with him and his three teenaged children to Toronto. The Schreibers initially lived north of Toronto in a place Charlotte named “Deer Park”. While living in Toronto, Charlotte became very involved in the arts community. In 1876, soon after she immigrated to Canada, she was elected a member of the Ontario Society of Artists (O.S.A.). In 1877, Schreiber was appointed to be the only woman on the council of the Ontario School of Art and Design (today known as Ontario College of Art and design). In 1880, she was chosen to be a member of the Royal Canadian Academy (R.C.A.). She was the only woman at the time to receive this honour and Charlotte held the distinction of being the only female member of the R.C.A. until 1933. She was also a member of the Woman’s Art Association of Canada, which she helped to establish in 1890. Charlotte also became a teacher at the Ontario School of Art and Design. In the three years of her teaching, she influenced many students, including George Reid and Ernest Thompson Seton. Schreiber also delved into landscape paintings: one of these paintings is entitled “Springfield on the Credit”, painted in 1875.

Springfield on the Credit by Charlotte SchreibeR

In 1885 the Schreibers and two married sons moved to Springfield-on-the-Credit. They owned three homes. One of their former homes survives – Lislehurst is now owned by the University of Toronto Mississauga. Charlotte and Weymouth called their home “Mount Woodham” after Charlotte’s home in Essex. In Mount Woodham, Charlotte set up a studio where she painted and tutored gifted students. Charlotte is also credited with suggesting that Springfield-on-the-Credit adopt the name of Erindale in 1898.

Charlotte Schreiber at Mount Woodham

Lislehurst, c1895, Charlotte Schreiber on porch

During her 25 years in Canada, Charlotte continued in the British academic tradition, her style and subject matter reflecting popular Victorian ideals. Her work was detailed, balanced and meticulous. Paintings were largely narrative and interpreted subjects from literature, history, contemporary life, and exotic places. Schreiber exhibited with the Ontario Society of Artists, the Royal Canadian Academy, and the Art Association of Montreal. Her Royal Canadian Academy diploma picture, The Croppy Boy, was placed in the National Gallery of Canada.

St Peters Anglican Church by Charlotte Schreiber

The Schreibers became strong supporters of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Erindale (Mississauga). Charlotte was organist and both contributed substantially to its rebuilding. Her paintings of the first St. Peter’s Church were sold to raise money for the building of the new (and current) church. Weymouth Schreiber died in 1898 and is buried at St. Peter’s Anglican Cemetery. After Weymouth’s passing, Charlotte returned to England and continued to paint and draw with considerable success until her passing on July 3, 1922, in Paignton, England. After her death, her great grandson, Howard Schreiber, gathered Charlotte’s paintings for an exhibition to commemorate the opening of the Erindale College (now the University of Toronto Mississauga). Most of her artwork is held in private collections and at National galleries. An Ontario Heritage Trust marker on Principal’s Road at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus also pays tribute to the life and legacy of Charlotte Schreiber.

OHT Marker to Charlotte Schreiber, UTM

Charlotte Schreiber gravestone, Paignton Cemetery, Devon, England.

March is Women’s History Month in many countries around the world, and March 8 is International Women’s Day – which is focused on celebrating the achievements of women and seeking gender equality. Through March, we will be sharing stories of women who have helped to shape this place we call home. In Canada, we recognize our own Women’s History Month in October, and Persons Day on October 18.