Charles Wisner Barrell
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Charles Wisner Barrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 July 1885 |
| Died | 20 June 1974 (aged 88) |
| Occupations | Journalist; Writer; Public relations |
| Years active | c.1907–1970s |
| Notable work | Identifying Shakespeare |
Charles Wisner Barrell (6 July 1885 – 20 June 1974) was an American writer. He first became significant as an art critic, promoting realism. He later built a career as an early exponent of public relations and as a documentary film maker.
In his later life he became a prominent supporter of the Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship, making significant contributions to the theory. His claims for the Ashbourne portrait were particularly influential.
Born in Warwick, New York, Barrell was the son of Charles Wisner Barrell senior and his wife Mary.
Barrell established himself as a miscellaneous writer in the early 20th century, publishing verse, essays and criticism. He wrote widely on contemporary art and was a strong supporter of the Ashcan School, whose 1908 exhibition at the Macbeth gallery he defended against conservative critics who, in his words, considered them to be a "revolutionary black school" promoting anarchy in art.[1] He was impressed by the "real drama of the slums" portrayed by Ashcan artist John French Sloan in his etchings.[2]
He later worked in public relations for various businesses. He was a consultant on art and photography for the Western Electric Company and Bell Telephone Laboratories. He also produced and directed documentary films for Western Electric.[3]
He married Mary Sabsovich.
