James Lonsdale (1777–1839)

• James Lonsdale was an English portrait painter.
• He started off as a pattern designer at Margerison and Glover's print-works in Catterall, was encouraged as an artist by the Lancaster architect Richard Threlfall, of whom he exhibited a portrait in 1809. 
• Lonsdale was a pupil of George Romney.
• Lonsdale, who started off as a pattern designer at Margerison and Glover's print-works in Catterall, was encouraged as an artist by the Lancaster architect Richard Threlfall, of whom he exhibited a portrait in 1809.
• He enrolled in the Royal Academy Schools on 23 October 1801.
• He exhibited some 138 works at the Royal Academy between 1802 and 1838.
• Lonsdale married a Lancastrian, Miss Thornton, and set up a residence in Southgate.
• The marriage produced three sons who became portrait painter.
• Highly respected, Lonsdale purchased John Opie's studio at 8 Berners Street in the City of Westminster, where he remained until his death.
• His sitters included Duke of Norfolk, Nicholas I of Russia, the Duke of Sussex, the Archibald Douglas-Hamilton, 9th Duke of Hamilton, and Queen Caroline.
• Through the Duke of Norfolk he was introduced to the Beefsteak Club.

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