Bell, Eric Stewart
Dates
- Existence: 21 September 1887 - 11 October 1964
Biography
Eric Stewart Bell, born 1887, to Charles Stewart and Eve Bell in Christchurch. Eric was educated at Christ College where he sang in the choir. Music was a passion and he went on to conduct several orchestras in the city. He first worked at Milner & Thompson Ltd., then founded his own business, Oriental Arts Ltd., in Cathedral Square.
In 1922 he arrived in Japan. His friend Alan Courtney Tytheridge, who had been a buyer for Oriental Arts Ltd., was already living n Japan. Both men would live out their lives in Japan. In his first year there he lived through the Great Kanto Earthquake. Later he was interned in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. During his 42 years in Japan he taught English at various schools and industrial plants, as well as the University of Mercantile Marine in Shimsu. For the 15 years before his death in 1964 he taught English in a girls' school in Numazn City which he was instrumental in making a sister school with Christchurch Girls' High School. Obituary, The Press, 12 October 1964, page 11.
Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
Drawing, Eric Stewart Bell, 10 August 1906
Autographed drawing by Eric Bell of two small dogs under an umbrella in the rain.
Eric S. Bell autograph book, 1889-1963
An autograph book of original manuscript letters, autographed photographs collected by Eric S. Bell. The book was orginaly gifted to him by his life long friend Alan Courtney Tytheridge. Inscription on first page reads: "Eric S. Bell Ōkaan, Tsujido, Kanagawa Ken Japan. 1941". Inscription on second page reads: "To Eric Stewart Bell with affection, from his friend, Alan Tytheridge. 8 October 1912."
Eric S. Bell papers
A collection of original manuscript letters, autographed photographs compiled by Eric S. Bell.
Photograph, Eric Stewart Bell, 1953
Photograph of Eric Stewart Bell in 1953.
Photograph, Eric Stewart Bell, 1961
Photograph of Eric Stewart Bell in 1961.