The painting is a portrait of older William Brigham wearing gold circular wire glasses in front of his blue eyes. He is wearing a brown suit and red and white dress shirt.
William Brigham attended Illinois Wesleyan University in 1898 and 1899. He then taught in rural schools for seventeen years and was assistant county superintendent for eighteen years before becoming superintendent for sixteen years. During summer terms from 1907-1924, he attended Illinois State University.