Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Miles, Edward
MILES, EDWARD (d. 1798), miniature-painter, was a native of Yarmouth, where he began life as an errand-boy to Giles Wakeman, a surgeon in that town. He showed a talent for drawing, which was encouraged by his master, and after receiving sufficient patronage from friends in Yarmouth, he came to London in 1771. He was introduced to and favourably received by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and copied some of his pictures. Miles quickly obtained some repute as a miniature-painter. He first lived in Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, but subsequently removed to Berkeley Street, Berkeley Square, where he obtained much aristocratic patronage. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1775 to 1797. In 1792 he was appointed miniature-painter to the Duchess of York, and in 1794 to Queen Charlotte, whose portrait he painted. One of his last works was a portrait of the Emperor Alexander of Russia, which was presented to the Earl of Liverpool. Miles paid frequent visits to Yarmouth, where he died in 1798.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Palmer's Perlustration of Great Yarmouth, ii. 412.]