Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Barron, William Augustus

1110442Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 03 — Barron, William Augustus1885Ernest Radford

BARRON, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS (fl. 1777), landscape painter, was a pupil of William Tomkins and younger brother of Hugh Barron [q. v.] In 1766 he gained a premium at the Society of Arts. He practised as a landscape painter, and also as a drawing master. Like his brother he excelled as a performer upon the violin; like him, also, he reached no more than a moderate excellence in his proper profession. His skill upon the violin gained him an introduction to Sir Edward Walpole, who gave him a situation in the exchequer, which in 1808 he still held. A view of Wanstead House by this artist was engraved by Picot in 1775; also after him are a set of views of castles and other subjects taken in different parts of Essex. In the print-room of the British Museum there is a large pen drawing by him of Richmond Bridge in 1778.

[Edwards's Anecdotes of Painters, 1808; Redgrave's Dict.]

E. R.