LOUDAN, Robert (1824-1893) — London
Draughtsman and wood engraver. Engraved Thomas Sulman, London from the south side of the Thames 1861, with a key, for the Illustrated London News; Thomas Sulman, New York from Bergen Hill: Hoboken 1876, etc. Also known for book and magazine illustrations.
Born in Southwark and baptised at Christ Church, Southwark, 24 Nov 1824, the son of William Loudan (1793?-1842), a watch and clockmaker, and his wife Mary Ann Mouat (1796?-1855), who had married in 1817. He worked initially as an auctioneer and estate-agent, in partnership with his brother-in-law James Summers in 1852, but turned to wood-engraving and later draughtsmanship. Married Agnes Eleanore Auguste Mouat (1833?-1904), born in Germany, with whom he had at least two children, at St. Pancras Old Church 20 Oct 1859. Joined Henry Richard Vizetelly (1820-1894) and traded as ‘Vizetelly & Loudan’ 1862-1864. The partnership was formally dissolved 11 Jun 1864, Loudan reverting to trading alone. Died at home 9 Dec 1893 and was buried at Norwood Cemetery 13 Dec 1893. “The death of Mr. Robert Loudan, at the age of sixty-nine closes the career of one of the oldest engravers connected with The Illustrated London News. In his early days he spent some years in Germany, and as a member of the Artists’ Corps in Vienna fought in the revolution of 1848. On his return from Germany he commenced the career of an engraver, which he has been engaged in for forty years or more” (Illustrated London News, 16 Dec 1893). Probate was granted to his widow on effects of £2,916.5s.9d on 6 Feb 1894. His son, William Mouat Loudan (1860-1925) was an artist, exhibiting at the Royal Society of British Artists and elsewhere from 1880 onwards.
28 Ludgate Hill — 1855
38 Hatton Garden — 1856
— 30 Amwell Street, Clerkenwell (home) — 1861
15 & 16 Gough Square — 1862-1864
37 Essex Street, Strand — 1865-1892
— 13 Thurlow Villas, Cemetery Road, Lambeth (home) — 1871
— 55 Park Road, West Dulwich (home) — 1878-1893
40 Norfolk Street, Strand — 1893
BM. BNA. Census 1851-1871, 1891. Engen (1985). LG. LHD. LMA. NA.