Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Woodward, Thomas (1801-1852)
WOODWARD, THOMAS (1801–1852), animal painter, son of Herbert and Elizabeth Woodward, was born on 5 July 1801 at Pershore, Worcestershire, where his father practised as a solicitor. His childish efforts at painting meeting with encouragement from Benjamin West, he was articled to Abraham Cooper [q. v.], and from 1822 until his death was a large exhibitor at the Royal Academy and British Institution, chiefly of historical compositions, in which horses formed a prominent feature. Among these were ‘Turks and their Chargers,’ ‘The Chariot Race,’ ‘Horses pursued by Wolves,’ ‘A Detachment of Cromwell's Cavalry surprised in a Mountain Pass,’ ‘The Battle of Worcester,’ and ‘Mazeppa.’ On the recommendation of Sir Edwin Landseer, who thought highly of his talent, Woodward painted many portraits of favourite horses for the queen, the prince consort, and other distinguished persons; several of these were engraved for the ‘Sporting Magazine.’ His ‘Tempting Present’ has also been well engraved. Being unable, on account of his delicate health, to settle in London, Woodward resided chiefly in his native county. He died unmarried, at Worcester, on 30 Oct. 1852, and was buried in the abbey church of Pershore, where there is a mural tablet to his memory.
[Art Journal, 1852; Gent. Mag. 1852, ii. 654; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1893; private information.]