Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 23.djvu/53

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Green
45
Green


in 1751. A hymn for two voices, 'When all Thy Mercies,' published about 1790, and four catches in Warren's 'Collection,' are ascribed to James Green, who is not to be confounded with Henry Green, the blind organist (d. 1741).

[Baptie's Handbook, p. 86; Brown's Dict. p. 288; Grove's Dict. i. 624; Pohl's Mozart in London, pp. 21, 36.]

GREEN, JAMES (1771–1834), portrait-painter, born at Leytonstone in Essex, 13 March 1771, was son of a builder. He was apprenticed to Thomas Martyn, a draughtsman of natural history, who resided at 10 Great Marlborough Street. Here Green remained several years, and showed great talent in the imitation of shells and insects. Having higher aims in art, he made secret efforts to study, and at the expiration of his apprenticeship, entered the schools of the Royal Academy. He attracted the notice of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A., and copied many of his pictures. In 1792 he first exhibited at the Royal Academy, sending views of Oxford Market and Chapel; in 1793 he exhibited several views of Tunbridge Wells, and some portraits. He gradually attained a good reputation for his portraits in water-colour, the result of industry and careful observation rather than of great natural gifts. His execution was more elegant than powerful, but his portraits are not devoid of dignity. Many of them have been engraved, including those of Benjamin West, P.R.A., Sir R. Birnie, both engraved in mezzotint by W. Say; George Cook, the actor, as Iago, engraved in mezzotint by James Ward; Joseph Charles Horsley (the stolen child), engraved by R. Cooper. In the National Portrait Gallery there are portraits by him of Thomas Stothard, R.A., and Sir John Ross, the latter being Green's last work. The portrait of Stothard was sold at S. Rogers's sale in May 1856, as by G. H. Harlow, although it is signed 'James Green, 1830.' It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1830, and was lent to the Manchester Exhibition in 1857 by its owner, Mr. J. H. Anderdon, who eventually presented it to the National Portrait Gallery. It was engraved by E. Scriven for 'The Library of the Fine Arts,' April 1833. Green also painted large subject pictures in oil, including 'Zadig and Astarte,' exhibited 1826, and engraved in the 'Literary Souvenir,' 1828; 'Béarnaise Woman and Canary,' engraved in the 'Literary Souvenir,' 1827, and 'Belinda.' His picture of 'The Loves conducted by the Graces to the Temple of Hymen' was painted in water-colour. Green also was a frequent exhibitor at the British Institution, and in 1808 was awarded a premium of 60l. He was a member of the Associated Society of Artists in Water-Colours. Many of his pictures were commissions, notably from Mr. Francis Chaplin of Riseholme, Lincolnshire. He resided for many years in South Crescent, Bedford Square, and died at Bath on 27 March 1834. He was buried in Wolcot Church.

In 1805 Green married Mary, second daughter of William Byrne [q. v.], the landscape-engraver. She was a pupil of Arlaud, and was a well-known miniature-painter, exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1795 to 1835. On her husband's death she retired from her profession, and died 22 Oct. 1845, being buried at Kensal Green. Her copies after Reynolds and Gainsborough were much valued. By her James Green was father of Benjamin Richard Green [q. v.] and of one daughter.

[Arnold's Library of the Fine Arts, May 1834; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760-1880; exhibition catalogues.]

GREEN, Mrs. JANE (d. 1791), actress. [See under Hippisley, John.]

GREEN, JOHN (1706?–1779), bishop of Lincoln, was born at or near Hull (perhaps at Beverley) about 1706, and received his early education at a private school. He was then sent as a sizar to St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. with distinction, and obtained a fellowship (1730). He proceeded M.A. in 1731, B.D. 1739, and D.D. 1749. On leaving Cambridge he became assistant-master, under Mr. Hunter, in the Lichfield grammar school, where he made the acquaintance of Johnson and Garrick. His first clerical appointment was to the vicarage of Hingeston, Cornwall. He then became known to Charles, duke of Somerset, the chancellor of the university of Cambridge, who appointed him his domestic chaplain. In 1747 the duke gave him the rectory of Borough Green, near Newmarket. Green appears, however, to have resided at college, where he filled the office of bursar. In 1748, on the death of Dr. Whalley, he was appointed regius professor of divinity, and soon afterwards royal chaplain. The favour of the Duke of Somerset seems to have recommended Green to the patronage of the Duke of Newcastle, who succeeded him in the chancellorship of Cambridge. In 1749 Green, after an action at law, obtained the living of Barrow in Suffolk, as senior fellow in orders of the college. In 1750, on the death of Dean Castle, master of Corpus Christi College, the fellows of that society being in a difficulty about the election of a master, referred the matter to Archbishop Herring. Herring, at the request of the Duke of Newcastle, nominated Green, who was then elected