Gibbon's House at Lausanne

Son of a corn merchant, Herdman was self taught and at the age of thirteen began sketching the fast-changing local scenes. He published many of his drawings in 'Pictorial relics of Ancient Liverpool', 1843, 1857 and 1878. He also exhibited views in France and Switzerland from mid 1830. His theories on curvilinear perspective were published in 'The Art Journal' 1849. Alderman William Bennett and Joseph Mayer were among his patrons, and large collections of his and his son's views are in the Liverpool City Library (some formerly Walker Art Gallery) and some with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. Edward Gibbon (1737 - 1794) was a historian, politician and writer best known today for his 'History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'. He lived in Lausanne in Switzerland from 1753 to 1758, where he studied, wrote and fell in love with Suzanne Curchod. They were unable to marry due to family opposition.