William Henry Prior (1812, in London – 23 February 1882, in London) was a British painter and engraver known for his depictions of London and its environs. He provided sketches for the Environs of London (1842), and worked for Charles Knight and Henry Vizetelly on the Illustrated Times.
Early life and family William Prior was born in Bloomsbury, London, in 1812. He married Amelia and they had two sons and two daughters. At the time of the 1871 census he was described as an Artist and living in Hammersmith.William H Prior England and Wales Census, 1871. Family Search. Retrieved 12 January 2018. He was still there in 1881, noted as living in Masbro Road west.William H Prior England and Wales Census, 1881. Family Search. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
Career Prior was a follower of Thomas Bewick's pupil William Harvey.Appendix 1: Persons Referred to in the Diary. The Apprenticeship of a Mountaineer: Edward Whymper's London Diary, 1855–1859. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 2008. British History Online. Retrieved 17 January 2018. He trained at Henry Vizetelly's (1820–1894) wood-engraving establishment with Francis Danby (landscape), W. H. Thwaites (figures), R. Hind (figures), and Martin, son of John Martin the painter (figures and portraits).The Magazine of Art, Vol. 13, p. 335.
He provided sketches for the Environs of London which The Spectator in 1842 commended for their "vivid perception of those qualities that constitute their picturesqueness"."Progress of Wood-Cut Illustrations." The Spectator, No. 741 (10 September 1842), p. 885. Later, he worked for Charles Knight and Henry Vizetelly on the Illustrated Times (founded 1855).
Death Prior died at his home of 6 Nasbro Road (Masbro?), Brook Green, London, on 23 February 1882. His executor was his wife Amelia and he left an estate of £652.1882 Probate Calendar, p. 356.
References
External links
christies.com http://www.artnet.com/artists/william-henry-prior/ http://www.victorianweb.org/periodicals/iln.html