Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Spread, Henry Fenton

SPREAD, Henry Fenton, artist, b. in Kinsale, Ireland, 21 Oct., 1844; d. in Chicago, 3 Sept., 1890. He began the study of art at the South Kensington schools, and later studied with William Riviere and Henry Warren. In 1863 he went to Brussels and became the pupil of Ernest Slingineyer. The following year he went to Australia, settling in Melbourne, and painted numerous portraits. In 1870 he came to the United States, spent a short time in New York, and then removed to Chicago, where he afterward resided. He was elected an academician of the Chicago academy of design in 1871, and became its professor of drawing and painting. This post he held for about twelve years, during which time the name of the institution was twice changed, first to Academy of fine arts, and then to Art institute. He left the institute to make a two years' tour in Italy, and on his return founded Spread's art academy. He was also instrumental in organizing the Chicago society of artists, of which he was the president. Among his works are “Chicago rising from her Ashes,” and “Sad News.”