Portrait of William Harris Crawford

King was one of the most important portrait painters of the early United States. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, he settled in the District of Columbia. There, he painted prominent citizens, national leaders, and many visiting American Indian dignitaries. William Harris Crawford, a Georgian, was Secretary of the Treasury when King painted his portrait in 1823. Crawford had a long political career and even ran for president. The town of Crawford, just outside of Athens, bears his name.