William Bradley (painter)
He started life as an errand boy, but his taste for drawing prevailed and at sixteen years of age he began practice as an artist.He had a few lessons himself from Mather Brown, then in high repute at Manchester; and at the age of twenty-one went to London, where he was fortunate enough to obtain an introduction to Sir Thomas Lawrence, who gave him encouragement.After remaining some years in the metropolis, in the course of which time he paid occasional visits to Manchester, he finally, in 1847, settled down in the latter town; where, as in London, he enjoyed a large share of patronage.Amongst the portraits painted by him are those of Lords Beresford, Sandon, Denbigh, Bagot, and Ellesmere; Sir E. Kerrison, John Gladstone, B. Heywood, James Emerson Tennent; Col. Currieton, C.B., Col. Anderton, the Rt.His heads are remarkable for skillful drawing, and he was not second to any man of the day in producing a striking and intellectual likeness.