Beatrice Whistler
Beatrice Whistler (also known as Beatrix or Trixie; 12 May 1857 – 10 May 1896) was born in Chelsea, London on 12 May 1857. She was the eldest daughter of ten children of the sculptor John Birnie Philip[1] and Frances Black. She studied art in her father's studio and with Edward William Godwin who was an architect-designer. On 4 January 1876 she became the second wife of Edward Godwin. Following the death of Godwin, Beatrice married James McNeill Whistler on 11 August 1888.[2]
Beatrice Whistler
12 May 1857
10 May 1896 (aged 38)
Beatrix
Trixie
Artist and artist’s model
Edward William Godwin (1876–1885)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
(1888–1896)
John Birnie Philip and Frances Black
Family[edit]
Edward Godwin and Beatrice had a son together, also called Edward (1876–1957),[3] who became known as a sculptor.[4] He created the bronze angels that were placed on the Whistlers' tomb in Chiswick Old Cemetery.[4]
Her sister Ethel Whibley had been the secretary to Whistler before her marriage to the writer Charles Whibley. After the death of Beatrice in 1896, her younger sister Rosalind Birnie Philip acted as secretary to Whistler and was appointed Whistler's executrix in his will.[1] In Whistler's correspondence Beatrice was referred to as 'Trixie' or 'Chinkie' and also ‘Luck’ and ‘Wam’; his sister-in-law and secretary (1890–1894) Ethel Whibley was 'Bunnie'; his brother-in-law Charles Whibley was 'Wobbles'; and Rosalind was referred to as (the 'Major'); with Whistler signing family correspondence as the 'General' when he did not sign with his butterfly signature.[5]