Donia Nachshen

Donia Nachshen came from a Jewish family. Her brother, Maurice (Moshe ben Zvi) was born in 1899 and lived in Zhitomir, until he immigrated, as a child to London in 1906. Donia was born in Russia, and studied at Slade School of Fine Arts, London.

Nachschen was a book illustrator for John Lane who also designed posters for the Post Office, 1943. A selection of books that Nachshen illustrated include: fifteen original drawings for the book The Works of Oscar Wilde in c.1915; the fictional work The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler; The Red Lily in 1930; Little Lucky Lamb poetry in 1943; and The Haggadah translated by Cecil Roth, published by the Soncino Press.

Note: Sometimes referred to as Denia Machsen or Donia Machshen.

Information collated from: Ainley, S., ‘The Nachshen Letters’, http://nachshen.com/news1.htmhttp://nachshen.com/nnletters.htm, written February 28 1997, accessed October 4 2003; Clement, P., ‘The Nachshen Letters’, ibid., written January 2 1997, accessed October 4 2003; Anonymous, ‘GPO Follows up Appeal to Public’, Advertiser’s Weekly, Vol. 121, No. 1,579, August 26 1943, p.264.; Antiquarian Book Shop, ‘The Works of Oscar Wilde’, http://www.niceoldbooks.com/pi/5750.html, accessed October 4 2003; Nachshen, B., ‘The Nachshen Letters’, op.cit., written February 28 1997, accessed October 4 2003; NLeditions.com, ‘The Red Lily. trans. Stephens. ill. Donia Nachshen. London, 1930. – FRANCE,Anatole’, http://www.nleditions.com/pi/50773.html, accessed October 4 2003; Crawford, R., ‘British Children’s Fiction: 1890’s – 1960’s: O’, http://www.users.bigpond.com/santford/o.html, accessed October 4 2003; Anonymous, ‘GPO and Railways: Joint Posters’, Advertiser’s Weekly, Vol. 122, No. 1,590, November 11 1943, p.125.