PRESS RELEASE

JANUARY 2010

Society Publishes New Book on Famed Local Artist

SOUTHOLD, NY.  The Southold Historical Society is pleased to announce the publication of a new book on local artist Lemuel Maynard Wiles (1826-1905).  The book, funded through donations and a grant from the Gerry Charitable Trust, features an exhaustive biography of Wiles and a detailed account of the many works he created during his career.

Lemuel Wiles was born near the town of Perry, NY and trained with William S. Hart and Jasper F. Cropsey. During the 1860’s he had a studio in New York City and by the mid 1870’s had returned to upstate New York where he taught at Ingham University and founded the Silver Lake Art School. In the 1890’s he came to teach on Long Island with his son, noted portrait painter Irving Ramsey Wiles. 

Over the course of his long life, Lemuel Wiles kept a detailed account of works sold and gifted. This new hardcover publication includes a annotated biography, analysis of Wiles's record book, and separately organized sections laying out the data from his ledger by date, size, subject, and destination. There are also several images both of works by Wiles as well as images of his family, studio, and students.  This book is a must for those interested in this truly "American" of artists.

The book, recently reviewed as "A deftly written and engaging 150-page biography," is available both at the Society and at other fine book retailers.  It can also be purchased online at several sites.  The book was written by Geoffrey K. Fleming, Director of the Southold Historical Society and includes a foreword by Hugh Hawley, the curator emeritus of the Stowell-Wiles Collection in Perry, NY.

For information on this book or other activities, please contact the society at (631) 765-5500 or online at www.southoldhistoricalsociety.org