Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, William (1747-1810)

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937854Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 17 — Ellis, William (1747-1810)1889Lionel Henry Cust

ELLIS, WILLIAM (1747–1810), engraver, born in London in 1747, was the son of a writing engraver, and was placed as a pupil with W. Woollett [q. v.] He produced some fine plates in the style of that celebrated engraver, some being executed in conjunction with him, vis. the two portraits of Rubens and his wife, published in 1774; 'A River Scene with a Windmill,' after S. Ruysdael), published in 1777; 'Solitude,' after R. Wilson, R.A., published in 1778; and two scenes from the 'Vicar of Wakefield,' after T. Hearne, published in 1780, and exhibited at the Society of Artists in that year, Ellis engraved several topographical views after Paul Sandby and T. Hearne, a set of 'The Seasons,' after Hearne, and some plates for the 'Ladies' Magazine.' In 1800 he aquatinted a set of engravings of 'Views of the Memorable Victory of the Nile,' engraved by F. Chesham from paintings by W. Anderson. Some of his engravings, e.g. a landscape, 'Peasants Dancing,' after Berchem, are signed 'William and Elizabeth Ellis,' and a plate of 'The Solitary Traveller,' after J. Pye, is stated to be etched by Elizabeth Ellis alone. She was no doubt his wife, and assisted him in his art. Ellis died in 1810, as is shown from the inscription on a plate representing 'A South View of the City of Exeter, from a Drawing taken at Shooting Marsh by the late Mr, William Ellis,' published 24 Nov. 1810, in aid of his five orphan children. In 1814 there was published a set of 'Twenty-nine Views illustrative of the Rev. Daniel Lysons's Environs of London, drawn and engraved by William Ellis.'

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; La Blanc's Manuel da l'Amateur d'Estampes; Fagan's Catalogue Raisonné of the engraved works of William Woollett; Lowndes's Bibl. Man.]

L. C.