ALKEN, Siffrien [or Sefferien]

1821 - 1873

Siffrien Alken, said to have been born at Ipswich, but he states either Kentish Town or St Pancras, London, about 1821 when his parents were living in Ipswich, son of Henry Thomas Alken and his wife Maria née Gordon (1786-1841) of Ipswich. Siffrien shared a studio in London with George Alken, who died in 1835. Siffrien married at St Pancras, London in 1840, Mary Ann Johnson and in 1851, a 31-year-old teacher of drawing, living at 34 Pleasant Place, Lambeth with his 30-year-old wife Mary Ann, born Lambeth and children Henry 10, Phillis 7, and George 4, all born at Lambeth. In 1871, a 51-year-old artist, living at 23 Lower Bland Street, Stoke Newington, London with his wife and two of his children, Siffrien 18, a butcher, and Lydia 10, both born at Newington. Siffrien Alken died at Newington early in 1873, aged 52. He painted sporting pictures and signed them S. Alken which has added to confusion in attribution.




Works by This Artist