Mostyn Turtle Pigott

An inked inscription in a period hand recto in the lower margin identifies the sitter as ‘Mostyn Turtle Pigott,’

Born at Wood Green in Middlesex, Montague Horatio Mostyn Turtle Pigott was the son of Robert and Rebecca Pigott.

He appears on the 1871 census, aged 5, living with his parents and younger siblings at Lee in Kent. His father was ‘Secretary of the Clerical Corporation.’

Educated at Westminster and at University College, Oxford, he was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in November 1890.

In 1891 Mostyn, now 25, was still living with his parents, now in Lewisham. He gave his profession as ‘Barrister-at-Law,’ while his father was the ‘Secretary of [the] Poor Clergy Relief Corporation.’

The 1911 census lists him as a ‘Barrister-at-Law and Journalist’ living at the Goldsmith Buildings, Temple, London. He was 45 years old and single.

He died ‘from chest trouble’ on 26 August 1927 at Ramsgate in Kent, leaving an estate valued at £2513.

‘Mr Montague Horatio Mostyn Turtle Pigott, well-known as a barrister, author, journalist, dramatist and clubman, died in a Ramsgate nursing home yesterday. He was 62 years of age’ (Staffordshire Sentinel, 26 August 1927).

According to his obituary in the Thanet Advertiser (3 September 1927), he was ‘a brilliant man of letters, and was perhaps best known at Ramsgate for his connection with the Royal Temple Yacht Club, and his regular attendance at musical performances of quality. A real Bohemian, he was a famous after-dinner speaker. […] He was founder and first editor of the “Isis,” and under the pen-name of “Medium Tem Plum” he wrote many clever contributions. He had a finely-pointed wit that found happy expression in light, polished verse. He had written plays, and, while his work was characterised by considerable felicity of satirical expression, his kindly nature ensured the deep affection of his friends, who will, while mourning his loss, long treasure the memory of a happy, human soul.’

Photographed by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.