Born in Dublin on Dec. 20, 1769, Martin Archer Shee would eventually rise to acclaim as a portrait painter and president of the Royal Academy in 1830.
The Life of Sir Martin Archer Shee: President of the Royal Academy, 1860
He became active in London by 1788, and was “second only to Lawrence as the leading society portraitist” (http://www.artuk.org/discover/artists/shee-martin-archer-1769-1850). He was under the guidance of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who ushered him into the Royal Academy and help him flourish in London. As a “respectable portrait-painter in London” (The Edinburgh Review, 1806), he would be chosen to president of the Royal Academy at 1830, and shortly after be bestowed upon a knighthood. As president of the Royal Academy, he defended its sovereignty from the British Government.
Among the illustrious subjects painted by Sir Martin were Mrs. S. Kemble, Lord Sidmouth, and Lord Spencer. (The Gentleman’s Magazine, 1850)
Married in 1789 to Mary Power, he had three sons and three daughters. His sons became successful barristers, and descendants of one of the sons was the inspiration for The Winslow Boy.
In addition to painting, Sir Martin also published poems and a novel (The Almanack of the Fine Arts, 1850). He was not as successful in literature, with criticisms ranging from “ungraceful” (The Critical Review, Or, Annals of Literature, 1810) and “warm” (The Edinburgh Review, 1806) was nonetheless praised for his many contributions to both literature and painting, as well as the organization of the Arts: The Critical Review, Or, Annals of Literature, 1810
Check out some of his works:
http://www.artuk.org/discover/artists/shee-martin-archer-17691850
