William Bradley (painter)
Encyclopedia
William Bradley was born at Manchester
in 1801. Left an orphan when only three years of age, he commenced life as an errand boy, but his innate taste for drawing prevailed over all impediments, and at sixteen years of age he began practice as an artist, taking portraits at one shilling each, and advertising himself as "portrait, miniature, and animal painter, and teacher of drawing." He had a few lessons himself from Mather Brown
, then in high repute at Manchester; and at the age
of twenty-one went to London, where he was fortunate enough to obtain an introduction to Sir Thomas Lawrence
, who gave him encouragement. After remaining some years in the metropolis, in the course of which time he paid occasional visits to Manchester, he finally, in 1847, settled down in the latter town; where, as in London, he enjoyed a large share of patronage. Amongst the portraits painted by him are those of Lords Beresford
, Sandon
, Denbigh
, Bagot
, and Ellesmere
; Sir E. Kerrison
, John Gladstone, B. Heywood, James Emerson Tennent
; Col. Currieton, C.B., Col. Anderton, the Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone
, Sheridan Knowles
, W. C. Macready
, &c. As an artist Bradley undoubtedly possessed high talent. His heads are remarkable for skilful drawing, and he was not second to any man of the day in producing a striking and intellectual likeness. During his later years his health failed, his mind was affected, and he lost the money he had made in his early career. He died in 1857.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in 1801. Left an orphan when only three years of age, he commenced life as an errand boy, but his innate taste for drawing prevailed over all impediments, and at sixteen years of age he began practice as an artist, taking portraits at one shilling each, and advertising himself as "portrait, miniature, and animal painter, and teacher of drawing." He had a few lessons himself from Mather Brown
Mather Brown
Mather Brown was a portrait and historical painter, born in Boston, Massachusetts, but active in England....
, then in high repute at Manchester; and at the age
of twenty-one went to London, where he was fortunate enough to obtain an introduction to Sir Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence may refer to:*Sir Thomas Lawrence, British artist, President of Royal Academy*Thomas Lawrence , mayor of colonial Philadelphia*T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia"*Thomas Lawrence , U.S. politician...
, who gave him encouragement. After remaining some years in the metropolis, in the course of which time he paid occasional visits to Manchester, he finally, in 1847, settled down in the latter town; where, as in London, he enjoyed a large share of patronage. Amongst the portraits painted by him are those of Lords Beresford
William Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford
General William Carr Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford, 1st Marquis of Campo Maior, GCB, GCH, GCTE, PC , was a British soldier and politician...
, Sandon
Dudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby
Dudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Sandon between 1809 and 1847, was a British politician...
, Denbigh
William Feilding, 7th Earl of Denbigh
William Basil Percy Feilding, 7th Earl of Denbigh, 6th Earl of Desmond, GCH, PC was a British peer and courtier.-Biography:...
, Bagot
William Bagot, 2nd Baron Bagot
William Bagot, 2nd Baron Bagot was a British peer.William Bagot was born in London, the eldest son of William Bagot, 1st Baron Bagot, and his second wife Elizabeth Louisa St John. He was educated at Westminster School and matriculated at Christ Church College, Oxford on 10 November 1791. He...
, and Ellesmere
Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere
Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere KG, PC , known as Lord Francis Leveson-Gower until 1833, was a British politician, writer, traveller and patron of the arts...
; Sir E. Kerrison
Sir Edward Kerrison, 1st Baronet
General Sir Edward Kerrison, 1st Baronet, GCH, KCB was a British Army officer and politician.Kerrison was a Lieutenant-Colenel in the Seventh Light Dragoons when he, with Charles Wetherell petitioned parliament over electoral malpractice in the parliamentary elections for Shafstubry...
, John Gladstone, B. Heywood, James Emerson Tennent
James Emerson Tennent
Sir James Emerson Tennent, 1st Baronet FRS , born James Emerson, was an Irish politician and traveller. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 5 June 1862....
; Col. Currieton, C.B., Col. Anderton, the Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
, Sheridan Knowles
James Sheridan Knowles
James Sheridan Knowles , Irish dramatist and actor, was born in Cork.-Biography:His father was the lexicographer James Knowles , cousin of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The family removed to London in 1793, and at the age of fourteen Knowles published a ballad entitled The Welsh Harper, which, set to...
, W. C. Macready
William Charles Macready
-Life:He was born in London, and educated at Rugby.It was his intention to go up to Oxford, but in 1809 the embarrassed affairs of his father, the lessee of several provincial theatres, called him to share the responsibilities of theatrical management. On 7 June 1810 he made a successful first...
, &c. As an artist Bradley undoubtedly possessed high talent. His heads are remarkable for skilful drawing, and he was not second to any man of the day in producing a striking and intellectual likeness. During his later years his health failed, his mind was affected, and he lost the money he had made in his early career. He died in 1857.