S. H. (Samuel Henry) Ervin (21 January 1881 – 29 October 1977) was a woolbroker, collector and philanthropist, born inMonkland, Queensland. He was commonly known as Harry and was the youngest son of Samuel Ervin and Matilda. After his father's death in the same year, his mother remarried, and during his youth, Harry adopted his stepfather's surname, Rohde.[1]
The Rohde family relocated toMosman, a suburb of Sydney, where Ervin Rohde attendedSydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore).[1]
After leaving school, Ervin worked in woollen mills in Europe before returning to Australia. DuringWorld War I, Ervin assumed control of Lothringer & Co., a company associated with his brother-in-law Karl Lothringer. In 1927, he founded S. H. Ervin Limited, a wool brokerage firm.[1]
DuringWorld War II, Ervin worked as a wool appraiser, contributing to the war effort. His firm experienced growth during the post-war wool boom.[1]
Ervin purchased artworks by artists such asNorman Lindsay,Tom Roberts, andArthur Streeton due to his connection with artists at Sirius Cove.[1]
In the 1960s, Ervin became a significant donor. In 1962, he donated his collection of paintings to the Australian government[2] and advocated for the establishment of a national art gallery. In 1971, he donated $50,000 to the New South Wales branch of theNational Trust of Australia to acquireNorman Lindsay's home inFaulconbridge, New South Wales. In 1974, he donated $200,000 to renovate two buildings atObservatory Hill, Sydney, transforming them into an art gallery and museum. The buildings were named theS. H. Ervin Gallery.
Ervin Place inConder, Canberra, is named after him.[3]
On 7 April 1926, Ervin married Muriel Beatrice Gray, who had two daughters from a previous marriage. They resided at Glanworth,Darling Point, and later at The Astor onMacquarie Street in Sydney.
Ervin outlived his wife and stepdaughters and died on 29 October 1977.[1][4]
