embroiderer and watercolourist, was born in Hobart, eldest daughter of Charles Henry and Esther Ann Robey, members of a prominent Tasmanian Quaker family. Known as Linor, she was a very individual woman of marked uprightness of character and with a notable sense of humour. During much of her life she shared a home at Bellerive, Hobart, with her sister Margaret, her sense of history leading to the house becoming a notable archive of Tasmanian Quaker history.
While attending the Friends’ School at Hobart in 1892-1908, Robey developed an interest in art and craft. This took her to Hobart Technical College to study design and craft, where she was greatly influenced by the teaching of Lucien Dechaineux . In 1910 she went to Woodbrooke (Quaker) College in Birmingham, England, to further her studies. In 1913 she enrolled in the Educational Needlework course under Anne Macbeth at the Glasgow School of Art, Scotland. On her return, she taught needlework and drawing at the Friends’ School from 1914 until she retired c.1931 (acc. to Backhouse, TMAG cat.).
As a student Elinor Robey had exhibited with the Arts and Crafts Society of Tasmania in 1909, including examples of stencilling. She showed leatherwork in 1921 and 1922. She also painted native Tasmanian flora (TMAG). During World War II she was active in war work, especially connected with UNRAA. After the war she returned briefly to her old school as a house-mistress. Robey’s home was decorated with a fine embroidered panel of Glasgow School design, which must have been a continuing source of inspiration. Examples of her embroidery and leatherwork are in the National Gallery of Australia and in private collections.
- Writers:
- Miley, CarolineNote: Heritage biography.
- Date written:
- 1995
- Last updated:
- 2011
