Francis Cadell (pronounced "Caddle") was born in
Edinburgh, the son of Dr Francis Cadell FRCSE (1844–1909), a wealthy surgeon and his wife, Mary Hamilton Boileau (1853–1907). His childhood home was at 22 Ainslie Place on Edinburgh's prestigious
Moray Estate, and he was educated privately at the
Edinburgh Academy. Only in 1908, between the death of his mother and that of his father (who was terminally ill), did he specifically seek a one-man-show, which he achieved at Doig, Wilson and Wheatley's gallery at 90 George Street in Edinburgh. Thirty paintings were sold, including four to his old schoolfriend, Patrick Ford, who became a major patron. An inheritance following his father's death allowed him to buy a studio at 137 George Street in Edinburgh. His new work did not sell well and he took 1910 "off", spending almost the whole year painting in
Venice. Patrick Ford paid him £150 to take the trip, in exchange for the pick of the paintings produced. The exhibition of the results in 1911 sold poorly, only 3 oils and 3 watercolours, greatly discouraging Cadell's trust in the dealers. From 1911 until 1927 he sold only privately. However, Reid continued to buy a high proportion of his work. Cadell spent much of his adult life in Scotland and had little direct contact with many of the new ideas that were being developed abroad. He therefore tended to use subjects and environments that were close at hand – landscapes, fashionable Edinburgh New Town house interiors, still life and figures in both
oil and
watercolour. he enlisted, serving in the 9th
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the
9th Royal Scots. Meanwhile. the influential art dealer
Alexander Reid organised Cadell's first one-man-show at his gallery in St Vincent Street in Glasgow in February 1918. It is unclear if Cadell was present. In the army, Cadell created a series of drawings on the theme of "Jack and Tommy". He lived at 6 and 22 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh from 1920 to 1932. During this time he befriended
Reginald Fairlie who lived at 7 Ainslie Place and they remained friends thereafter. He then lived at 30
Regent Terrace from 1932 to 1935 where he found it more and more difficult to sell his paintings because of the economic climate. He finally moved to 4 Warriston Crescent where he died on 6 December 1937. He is buried with his family in
Dean Cemetery. The grave lies on the southern boundary wall of the main cemetery. Although Cadell failed to make much income from his paintings it would be wholly wrong (as some claim) to say he died "in poverty". As his houses reflect, he was from a very wealthy family, and it is more correct to say he was largely financially supported by his family. From 1923 to 1936, Cadell served as a Council member of the influential Edinburgh architecture, planning and amenity watchdog organisation, the
Cockburn Association. In 1932, Cadell was mugged, and in 1935 was severely injured in a fall from a tram car. He died of cancer in 1937. and one (Reflection) was sold for £874,000 in 2018. ==Family==