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.
By his wife, Diana, whose maiden name was Lloyd, he had two daughters: Eliza and Ann. One daughter, Ann (or Anne), married the painter
Frederick Goodall.
An engraving of a portrait of Sir Walter Scott. by T Graham for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833 with a poetical illustration by
Letitia Elizabeth Landon.