Frank Cundall

Frank Cundall (17 January 1858 – 15 November 1937) was an English art historian, editor and author, who was the son of the writer and publisher Joseph Cundall. He was closely involved in the administration of and produced the reports for a series of international exhibitions held in London in the 1880s, and catalogued the art library at the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria and Albert Museum.

In 1891, he became the secretary and librarian to the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston, writing extensively on the history of the island. He created the West India Reference Library in 1894, which became the nucleus of the National Library of Jamaica when it was formed in 1979.

Early life and family

Frank Cundall was born in London on 17 January 1858, the son of the writer, photographer, and publisher Joseph Cundall (1818–1895) and his wife Sarah.

After attending private schools, he gained admission to King's College London, leaving in 1875.

He married twice and had a son and a daughter. His son was Joseph Leslie Cundall, who became the Attorney General of Jamaica, and his daughter Frances married Guy Weihen of Munro College, Saint Elizabeth Parish.

Early career

From 1876 to 1882, Cundall was the assistant editor for the revised edition of Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers (London, George Bell). At the same time from 1877 to 1890 he was the joint editor with his father of the Illustrated Biographies of the Great Artists in 38 volumes (London: Sampson Low) and from 1879 to 1885 wrote anonymously The Great Historic Galleries of England under the editorship of Ronald Gower.