Ellen Neame

Ellen Agnes Neame (formerly Sarjeant, nee Stewart; 18 June 1868 - 22 September 1939) was an artist, curator, registrar and philanthropist based in Whanganui, New Zealand who was instrumental in the forming of the Sarjeant Gallery (now known as Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery). She is most well known as Ellen Sarjeant after the legacy of the gallery.

Biography

Sarjeant was born Ellen Stewart in 1868 in Foxton, New Zealand, the eldest daughter of married couple John Tiffin Stewart and Frances Ann Carkeek. Her mother was a social activist. Her father was born in Rothesay, Scotland and was a civil engineer. One of his friends was Henry Sarjeant.

Ellen Sarjeant was a founding committee member of the Wanganui Arts and Crafts Society established in 1901. Her father was also a founding member, serving as vice president. and in his will bequeathed funds to the Wanganui Borough Council to enable the building of the Sarjeant Gallery and fund its collections. In Whanganui, the flag on the City Council offices was flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for Neame's contribution to the city.