Dr Cargill Thompson’s collecting and patronage was the family tradition. A 'weel kent' character in the West of Scotland, especially at exhibition openings, private views and many societies throughout the City. She lived frugally, quoted in articles as not wanting to spend money on taxis and by using public transport around the city she was able to spend more money on supporting young artists! The Collecting wasn’t viewed as a financial gain, but more of a passion project buying what she loved acknowledging and encouraging up and coming artists. Dr. Cargill Thompson, a devoted public-spirited Glaswegian, provided support to the Collins Gallery during her tenure at the University of Strathclyde. In 1999, she donated her collection of contemporary art to the University and part of her contemporary silver collection to The Glasgow School of Art, with the rest now bequeathed.
The Cargill family history dates back to the 19th century. Helen's Great Grand Uncle David Syme Cargill (1826-1904) founded The Burma Oil Company in 1876 and the family held interests in the East India Trading Co. In the early 20th century two of his five children made a conscious effort to collect French Paintings, including works by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. The collections of David W T Cargill (1872-1939) and his brother William Cargill (d.1962) were renowned, latterly Helen referred to herself as the less well off cousins. In 1950 the Trustees of D W T Cargill arranged for for three significant paintings to enter the collection of Glasgow Museums and are now on display in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery: a Corot, a Courbet and a Seurat. The amalgamation of the proceeds from the estate were used to form The Cargill Fund which still makes significant contribution’s to this day.
Dr Cargill Thompson left her end of terrace home in the West End of Glasgow to the National Trust for Scotland along with a significant endowment. Largely untouched since it was designed and built in the Scots Renaissance style in c. 1906 by John Archibald Campbell, the interior boasts the original Edwardian fixtures and fittings. The Dining Room walls are covered in crocodile skin wallpaper and panelled in Austrian oak that came from the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901.
Lyon & Turnbull’s James McNaught was instructed to assist with Dr Cargill Thompson’s estate by her executors in 2021 and a selection of works were offered, notably Poppies by John William Godward. The proceeds helped form an Education Endowment Trust in Dr Cargill Thompson’s name.
Now, in 2025, Lyon & Turnbull are pleased to partner with The Glasgow School of Art to showcase highlights from Helen's extensive silver collection. The exhibition aims to secure funding to open the collection for teaching, research, and future public displays.
