William Simpson

William Simpson (28 October 1823 – 17 August 1899) was a British artist, war artist and war correspondent.

Born into poverty in Glasgow, Simpson went on to become one of the leading 'special artists' of his day, and sketched many scenes of war, culture and architecture around the world, for the Illustrated London News. Besides his war pictures, he covered state events, coronations, funerals, and other ceremonies. He was a noted ethnographer and antiquarian, and wrote extensively on ancient religions, customs, and ancient artifacts.

Early life

His early years were difficult, living in a house with an abusive and alcoholic father, shipyard labourer James Simpson, and his mother, Ann Johnstone. He was born in Carrick Street near the River Clyde, and for a time, the family lived at Orbiston, an Owenite utopian community in Bellshill. Returning to Glasgow, they moved into a tenement in North Frederick Street. In 1834 he was sent to live with his grandmother in Perth. Simpson's only formal schooling, at a writing school, took place during this fifteen month period and by the age of fourteen, he was working as an apprentice in the Glasgow lithographic firm of Macfarlane.

He was then indentured for seven years as an apprentice to Allan and Ferguson, another lithographer. In his time off he practiced sketching from nature, going for walks in the countryside. He attended the Andersonian University, Glasgow Mechanics' institute & Gorbals Popular Institution in the evenings, hearing lectures on science, natural philosophy and engineering, and conducting experiments. These educational establishments provided lectures, practical instruction and access to libraries for working class men.