William Williams (artist)
Encyclopedia
William Williams was an English/American
painter
. He was born in Bristol, England. His family is believed to have originated in Caerphilly, Wales just across the Severn River from Bristol. He began living in Philadelphia around 1747 after time at sea. In Philadelphia he was instrumental in building America's first theater, maintained an art studio at "The Sign of Hogarth's Head" and taught art to Benjamin West among others. He associated with Benjamin Franklin, Franklin's partner, David Hall, Patriot and intellectual, Benjamin Lay and with William and Lewis Hallam. Travelling with the Hallam Company he lived for a time in Jamaica and afterwards in New York City
where he was married to Mary Mare, the Sister of Artist John Mare, Jr. Their Son, William Williams, Jr. (later known as William Joseph Williams), was born in New York City in 1759. Williams returned to England in 1776 where he lived in London for some time and renewed his friendship with Benjamin West. He subsequently returned to Bristol where he painted for several years before falling on hard times. He died in the Merchants' and Sailors' Almshouse in Bristol in 1791.
Williams is believed to have been a seafarer during the early part of his life. During that time he became a friend and shipmate of William Falconer
. Williams wrote The Journal of Penrose, Seaman, believed to be partly autobiographical, about a sailor who is cast away in the New World. This book is accounted by many scholars as the first American novel.
William Williams gave the first art instruction to the young Benjamin West
. West later credited Williams as giving him his interest in painting.
William Williams was the father of William Joseph Williams
(1759–1823), another American painter. William Williams has numerous descendants living in the United States and abroad.
Williams left his personal property to Thomas Eagles, a gentleman who helped him gain admission to the almshouse, where he lived until his death. The bequest included many books, a self-portrait (now in the Winterthur Museum) and the manuscript of Penrose. The Revd John Eagles, son of Thomas, prepared an edited copy of this for publication, including 37 watercolours mainly by Nicholas Pocock, intended for engraving. This Eagles version appeared in 1815, but without the illustrations, and in 2006 its manuscript was acquired by the National Maritime Museum
, Greenwich, UK. Williams' original manuscript, bequeathed to Eagles senior, is at the Indiana University at Bloomington. The manuscript was transcribed and published in 1969 by Dr. David Howard Dickason.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. He was born in Bristol, England. His family is believed to have originated in Caerphilly, Wales just across the Severn River from Bristol. He began living in Philadelphia around 1747 after time at sea. In Philadelphia he was instrumental in building America's first theater, maintained an art studio at "The Sign of Hogarth's Head" and taught art to Benjamin West among others. He associated with Benjamin Franklin, Franklin's partner, David Hall, Patriot and intellectual, Benjamin Lay and with William and Lewis Hallam. Travelling with the Hallam Company he lived for a time in Jamaica and afterwards in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he was married to Mary Mare, the Sister of Artist John Mare, Jr. Their Son, William Williams, Jr. (later known as William Joseph Williams), was born in New York City in 1759. Williams returned to England in 1776 where he lived in London for some time and renewed his friendship with Benjamin West. He subsequently returned to Bristol where he painted for several years before falling on hard times. He died in the Merchants' and Sailors' Almshouse in Bristol in 1791.
Williams is believed to have been a seafarer during the early part of his life. During that time he became a friend and shipmate of William Falconer
William Falconer
William Falconer was a Scottish poet.Falconer was the son of a barber in Edinburgh, where he was born, became a sailor, and was thus thoroughly competent to describe the management of the storm-tossed vessel, the career and fate of which are described in his poem, The Shipwreck , a work of...
. Williams wrote The Journal of Penrose, Seaman, believed to be partly autobiographical, about a sailor who is cast away in the New World. This book is accounted by many scholars as the first American novel.
William Williams gave the first art instruction to the young Benjamin West
Benjamin West
Benjamin West, RA was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...
. West later credited Williams as giving him his interest in painting.
William Williams was the father of William Joseph Williams
William Joseph Williams
William Joseph Williams was an American painter. He was born in New York City, the son of William Williams, a painter born in Wales...
(1759–1823), another American painter. William Williams has numerous descendants living in the United States and abroad.
Williams left his personal property to Thomas Eagles, a gentleman who helped him gain admission to the almshouse, where he lived until his death. The bequest included many books, a self-portrait (now in the Winterthur Museum) and the manuscript of Penrose. The Revd John Eagles, son of Thomas, prepared an edited copy of this for publication, including 37 watercolours mainly by Nicholas Pocock, intended for engraving. This Eagles version appeared in 1815, but without the illustrations, and in 2006 its manuscript was acquired by the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, Greenwich, UK. Williams' original manuscript, bequeathed to Eagles senior, is at the Indiana University at Bloomington. The manuscript was transcribed and published in 1969 by Dr. David Howard Dickason.