William John Thomson Rsa

Place: Savannah

Born: 1771

Death: 1845

Biography:

William John Thomson RSA (1771–1845) was an American-born painter of silhouettes, portraits and miniatures who was active in Great Britain. He was born in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, on 3 October 1771 to Scottish parents, Alexander Thomson and Mary Elizabeth Thomson née Spencer. Thomson's first sister Margaret was born in 1773, his second sister born in 1775 was Catherine Thomson, later the stepmother of Elizabeth Gaskell. They migrated to England during the war of independence. He moved to London and learned to paint. He exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1795. He married Helen J Colhoun in Edinburgh 12 May 1797, He was considered for election to the Royal Academy in 1808 He exhibited his work at The British Institution between 1809 - 1829 whilst living in London at 6 Charles Street, 41 Craven St and 111 The Strand. In Edinburgh at 59 York Place and Northumberland Avenue. In 1812 he moved back to his ancestral home of Scotland and settled in Edinburgh. About 1817 he marries Anne McCulloch (d.1855). The two marriages produce seven children. After marriage they lived at 20 Dundas Street in the New Town. He became a prominent figure in the artistic life of Scotland, holding a variety of official positions. He exhibited portraits, miniatures, landscapes and genre paintings. He was married to Anne McCulloch (1783-1855).