Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Room, Henry

by Lionel Henry Cust

ROOM, HENRY (1802–1850), portrait-painter, born in 1802, was connected with a leading family of the evangelical following. He obtained some note as a painter of portraits, and received several commissions, some of his portraits being engraved. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1826. He practised for some time at Birmingham. He painted a portrait of Thomas Clarkson [q. v.] for the central negro emancipation committee, and also two groups of the ‘Interview of Queen Adelaide with the Madagascar Princes at Windsor,’ and ‘The Caffre Chiefs' Examination before the House of Commons Committee.’ Many of his portraits were executed for the ‘Evangelical Magazine.’ Room died in London on 27 Aug. 1850, aged 48.

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Gent. Mag. 1850, ii. 449; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1893; Cat. of the Royal Academy, &c.]

L. C.