James Thomson (1788–1850) was a British engraver, known for his portraits. He completed his apprenticeship in engraving and then established himself independently, following the dot and stipple style. His engravings and paintings featured both leading figures of his day and those of previous periods.
Life Thomson was baptised on 5 May 1788 at Mitford, Northumberland, where his father James Thomson, who later became vicar of Ormesby in Yorkshire, was then acting as curate. He was sent to London to be apprenticed to an engraver named Mackenzie. After completing an apprenticeship with Mackenzie, he worked for two years under Anthony Cardon, and then established himself independently. He became an accomplished engraver in the dot and stipple style. He died at his house in Albany Street, London, on 27 September 1850.
Works
Working mainly on portraits, Thomson was engaged for major illustrated works including Edmund Lodge's Portraits of Illustrious Personages, Fisher's National Portrait Gallery (of Henry Fisher, Son and Jackson, edited by William Jerdan), Horace Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting, Charles Heath's Book of Beauty, Anne Mee's Gallery of Beauties, the Keepsake, the Court Magazine, and Ancient Marbles in the British Museum.
Thomson's single plates included the portraits:
Mrs. Storey, after Thomas Lawrence, 1826 Lady Burghersh and her sisters, after Lawrence, 1827 John Wesley, after John Jackson, 1828 Charles James Blomfield, Bishop of London, after George Richmond, 1847 Queen Victoria riding with Lord Melbourne, after Sir Francis Grant Prince Albert, after Sir William Charles Ross Louis-Philippe and his consort Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily, a pair, after Édouard Louis Dubufe, 1850 Elizabeth Pepys, wife of Samuel Pepys
Family With his wife Diana Lloyd, Thomson had two daughters: Eliza and Ann. One daughter, Ann (or Anne), married the painter Frederick Goodall.
External links Engraving of Henry Corbould's drawing of Richard Westmacott's sculpture of published in the Friendship's Offering annual for 1826, with an illustration in verse by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. Engraving of Henry Corbould's drawing of , from the statue at Woburn Abbey by Chantrey, accompanied by Felicia Hemans's poem, The Child and Dove, for The Literary Souvenir annual for 1826. An engraving of a portrait of by Charles Landseer for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833 with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. An engraving of a portrait of by T Graham for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833 with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. An engraving of by John Hayter for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839 with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. An engraving of , by Joseph John Jenkins for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1840 with a posthumous poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. For paintings in Flowers of Loveliness, 1838: An engraving of by Fanny Corbaux, with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. An engraving of by Thomas Uwins, with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon.
References
Attribution