User:Carapantony/sandbox

Early Life and Family[edit]
Francis Baird McKelvey, also known as Frank McKelvey, was born 3 June 1895. He was born in Belfast at 31 Woodvale Road. He was baptised at Saint Matthew's Parish Church. His parents William and Mary McKelvey had six children. They had three sons and three daughters. Frank was the second oldest. William, his father, was a decorator and painter. William was son of John Mckelvey who was originally from Roseville, Craigavad, County Antrim. Francis Baird was Mary's father and was a farmer from Ballywee, County Down. Francis’ siblings were John born 1894, William born 1897, Kathleen born 1899, Gertrude born 1900, Eileen Muriel and Mary Eveline born 1902.

Frank grew up in Belfast. He was a student in Mayo Street National School in Belfast. When he was 16 he became a lithographer apprentice to the firm; David Allen & Sons. They produced postcards, posters and notices. Frank began to attend the Belfast College of Art part time by attending evening classes until he left his employment in 1911 to study full-time. Alfred Rawlings Baker, Frank's art master, had great influence on him during his time at art college. He was very successful while in college and received many awards for his artworks such as; Sir Charles Brett Prize, the Fitzpatrick Prize, and the Taylor Art Competition. He returned to David Allen and Sons in 1917 for a short period of time before he began to focus on painting and opened his own studio in 1920. The studio was located in Rea’s Building, Royal Avenue, Belfast. His paintings and drawings were first displayed at the Royal Hibernian Academy ‘RHA’ in 1918 which he continued to do annually. He was named an associate of this academy in 1923 then later was elected to become a full member of the RHA in 1930.