Fitton, James — Tls to Geoffrey Robinson

[London], April 28, 1966. 1 p. James Fitton, painter of popular genre, lithographer and theatrical designer. Born 11 February 1899 at Oldham, Lancashire. Apprenticed to a fabric designer at the age of fourteen. Later worked on a newspaper. Attended evening classes at Manchester School of Art while working in the docks at night; met L. S. Lowry. Came to London in 1919 and attended evening classes at the Central School under A. S. Hartrick. Worked as illustrator and poster designer. Married Margaret Cook (Geoffrey Robinson's cousin), painter, 1928. Began exhibiting at the R.A. 1929; N.E.A.C. and London Group 1930; member of the London Group 1934. One-man show at Arthur Tooth & Sons 1933. Author of The First Six Months are the Worst 1939. A.R.A. 1944, R.A. 1954. From a collection of letters and papers amassed by illustrator and painter Robinson during his years as a publisher with Rockliff, John Baker, Maclaren and others. .