Effie Gray Biography
(Artist)
Birthday: May 7, 1828 (Taurus)
Born In: Perth, United Kingdom
Euphemia “Effie” Chalmers Millais, Lady Millais (nee Gray), was a Scottish artist and author. Her second husband was Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais. Before that, she was the wife of art critic John Ruskin, but their marriage was not consummated before it was annulled. This popular Victorian love triangle has inspired numerous works of literature, plays, TV shows, films, as well as an opera. Gray was the writer of ‘Effie in Venice: Unpublished Letters of Mrs. John Ruskin Written from Venice Between 1849 – 1852’ and Selling Light’, which was published for the first time in 2008. Encouraged by her family members, who were acquaintances of Ruskin’s father, the possibility of a match between Gray and Ruskin began to be entertained. They were married for about six years between 1848 and 1854, but it was loveless and unhappy as Ruskin chose to never consummate it. She was still a virgin when she first encountered Millais. They exchanged wedding vows in 1855 and were married until his death in 1896. She had a significant influence on Millais, who adopted a broader style of painting after the marriage. She later effectively served as his manager and collaborator in selecting his subjects.