Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 60.djvu/12

  

WATSON, GEORGE (1767–1837), portrait-painter and first president of the (Royal) Scottish Academy, son of John Watson and Frances Veitch of Elliott, his wife, was born at his father's estate, Overmains, Berwickshire, in 1767. He received his early education in Edinburgh, and got some instruction in painting from [q. v.], but when eighteen years of age he went to London with an introduction to Sir [q. v.], who received him as a pupil. After two years spent in Sir Joshua's studio, he returned to Edinburgh, and established himself as a portrait-painter. In 1808 he was associated with other painters in starting a society of artists, which, however, only lasted a few years. He exhibited frequently at the Royal Academy and the British Institution, and about 1815 was invited to London to paint a number of portraits, including those of the dean of Canterbury and Benjamin West. In 1820, in spite of much opposition from the Royal Institution, the Scottish Academy was founded, and Watson, who had been president of the previous society, was elected to the same office in the new one, the ultimate success of which is largely due to his tact and ability. He continued president until his death, which took place in Edinburgh on 24 Aug. 1837, a few months before the academy received its royal charter.

It is said that he 'long maintained an honourable rivalry with Raeburn' [see ], hot, although his grasp of character was decided, his executive power considerable, and his work belongs to a fine convention, his portraiture lacks the qualities which give that of the other enduring interest. He is represented in the National Gallery of Scotland by portraits of two brother artists, Benjamin West and Alexander Skirving; and in the Scottish Portrait Gallery by a number of portraits, including one of himself, and one of William Smellie, which some consider his best piece of work. Shortly after his return from his first visit to London he married Rebecca, daughter of William Smellie, printer and naturalist, who, with five children, survived him.

Their son, William Smellie Watson (1796-1874), was born in Edinburgh in 1796, and, like his father and his cousin, Sir [q. v.], became a portrait-painter. He was a pupil of his father's, studied at the Trustees' Academy, and from 1815, for five years, in the schools of the London Royal Academy, and worked for a year with Sir [q. v.], while that artist was painting 'The Penny Wedding' and other pictures. Returning to Edinburgh, he made a good connection as a portrait-painter, became one of the founders of the Scottish Academy, and for nearly fifty years exhibited with unfailing regularity. He solely confined himself to portraiture: 'The Ornithologist' is only one of a class of portraits fancifully named; and while his pictures were esteemed admirable likenesses by his contemporaries, they have little attraction as works of art.

He died in Edinburgh on 6 Nov. 1874. He was a devoted student of natural history, particularly ornithology, and formed an extensive collection of specimens, which he bequeathed to Edinburgh University.



WATSON, HENRY (1737–1786), colonel, chief engineer Bengal, son of a grazier at Holbeach, Lincolnshire, was born there in 1737. Educated at Messrs. Birke's school at Gosberton, near Spalding, he early displayed a genius for mathematics. This was brought to the notice of Thomas Whichcot of Harpeswell, one of the members of parliament for Lincolnshire, who had him examined by the master of Brigg school, and, on receiving a very favourable report, procured a nomination for him to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, as well as an ensign's commission on 27 Dec. 1755 in the 52nd foot, Abercromby's regiment. Thence he was transferred as lieutenant on 25 Sept. 1757 to the 50th foot, Studholm Hudgson's regiment.

As early as 1753 Watson contributed mathematical papers to the 'Ladies Diary,' conducted by Professor [q. v.], who was not only his instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, but his intimate friend. Simpson entertained so high an opinion of his abilities that on his death in 1760 he left his unfinished mathematical treatises to Watson, with a request that he would revise them for publication, making any alterations or additions which he might consider desirable. Watson subsequently behaved generously to Simpson's widow, but he failed to carry out the publication of his papers, and was in consequence attacked by [q. v.] in his 'Life of Simpson,' prefixed to 'Select Exercises,' 1792.