Helen Laura Farquhar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 November 1859 |
| Died | 3 January 1953 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Florence Farquhar (sister), Ernest Farquhar (brother), Isabel Farquhar (sister), Alfred Farquhar (brother), John Henry Ponsonby (brother-in-law), Violet Louise Clive nee Ponsonby (niece), Richard Ponsonby-Fane (nephew) |
Helen Laura Farquhar (1859 – 1953) was a British numismatist and a founder member of the British Numismatic Society in 1903. Farquhar served on the British Numismatic Society Council many times from 1910-1946 and was Vice-President at various times 1912-1953.[1] Farquhar specialised in British numismatics, especially Stuart portraiture and the Touch pieces associated with the King's Evil (scrofula). Farquhar wrote prolifically on these subjects, particularly in the British Numismatic Journal where she published articles in every volume from 1905-1930.[2]
Farquhar was born in Brackley, Northamptonshire, in 1859 and grew up in London. Her parents were Harvie Morton Farquhar and Louisa Harriet Ridley-Colbourne. Harvie Morton Farquhar was a descendant of the Farquhar baronets and a director of Messrs Herries, Farquhar & Co, which was later acquired by Lloyds Bank. Farquhar lived in Chelsea during the 1860s and 1870s where she was educated by a governess.[3] From at least 1901 Farquhar lived with her sister Isabel Farquhar in Belgrave Square. She died at the age of 94 at 6 Lowndes Street on 3 January 1953.
Farquhar was a prolific correspondent and archive material is held by the National Archives,[4] the Wellcome Collection,[5] and the British Museum.
Farquhar either donated (during her lifetime) or bequeathed her collection of coins, medals, badges, and touch-pieces, chiefly of the Stuart period, to the British Museum.[6]
Farquhar was awarded the John Sanford Saltus Medal of the British Numismatic Society for 1911 at the February 1912 meeting of the Society for her work on Stuart coins and medals.[7]
Farquhar was awarded the Medal of the Royal Numismatic Society in 1931; the first female recipient of the Medal.[8] Farquhar was made an honorary member of the British Numismatic Society in 1950.[8]
Farquhar was a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.[8]
Farquhar collected coins and medals associated with her scholarly interests in the Stuart period. She used these collections in presentations to the British Numismatic Society and donated or bequeathed her collection to the British Museum.[8]
Farquhar lived with her sister Isabel for most of her adult life.