Talk:Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Simpson, William (1823-1899)

Alexander Hastie Millar has some of his facts wrong.

William Simpson (1791-1879) was NOT the father of William Simpson (artist) (1823-1899).

As the Great Grandson of William Simpson (artist) I am well aware of the true genealogy. Simpson's parents were, in fact,JAMES & ANN SIMPSON. JAMES SIMPSON was born on 25 May 1791 (perhaps this was where Millar was confused - as he had Simpson Snr's birth year correct, but confused with another person)and died in Glasgow on 31 May 1874. James is buried in Sighthill Cemetery. James worked as a labourer in the Glasgow shipyards and was a drunkard and a bully. The family lived in poverty. William frequently had to defend his mother against the drunken violence of his father. William's mother was ANN JOHNSTONE(3 June 1786 - 24 August 1854), and William and his mother share a grave in the dissenters section of Highgate Cemetery in London.

For a better biography, I suggest you look at  http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/simpson/bio.html

Adrian Lipscomb _________________________________________ Adrian Lipscomb  BA, LLB (Hons), FRGS 46 Rosedale Drive Urunga   NSW    Australia E: adlip@midcoast.com.au


 * apparently, "error" is also in the ODNB here ; you might drop them a line with your evidence, and they might update it. Slowking4 (talk) 04:51, 16 January 2013 (UTC)