Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craig, William Marshall
CRAIG, WILLIAM MARSHALL (fl. 1788–1828), miniature-painter, said to have been a nephew of Thomson the poet, was drawing-master to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, miniature-painter to the Duke and Duchess of York, and painter in water-colours to the queen. As early as 1788 he exhibited at the Academy, being then resident at Manchester. In 1791, when he exhibited two figure subjects, he had settled in London. In 1792 he began as a miniature and portrait painter, varying this by occasional rustic figures, landscapes, and domestic scenes. He contributed little after 1821, and ceased to exhibit altogether in 1827. In the first quarter of the century he shared with John Thurston the honour of being one of the principal designers on wood; and many of the popular engravers, e.g. Thomas Bewick, Luke Clennell, Charlton Nesbit, Branston, Austin, Hole, Lee, worked for a commonplace ‘Scripture Illustrated,’ which he put forth in 1806. He also made most of the drawings for the ‘British Gallery of Pictures,’ 1808. Others of his works were ‘An Essay on the Study of Nature in drawing Landscape,’ 1793; ‘The Complete Instructor in Drawing,’ 1806; ‘The Sports of Love,’ in six etchings [1807]; ‘Lectures on Drawing, Painting, and Engraving,’ delivered at the Royal Institution, 1821; and ‘A Wreath for the Brow of Youth,’ a book said to have been written for the Princess Charlotte. From the second edition of this, which is dated 1828, Craig must have been living in that year. He was a mediocre illustrator; but his water-colours are skilfully finished. One of them, ‘The Wounded Soldier,’ is included in the William Smith gift to the South Kensington Museum.
[Redgrave; Craig's Works.]