William Wordsworth by Samuel Crosthwaite

Samuel Crosthwaite (1791-1868) was a self- taught artist from Cockermouth who had initially trained as a weaver. He was close to the Wordsworth family and William Wordsworth sat for the artist four times, the last being shortly before the poet’s death according to a letter of Mary Wordsworth. Crosthwaite also painted a portrait of Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy, at around the same time. This portrait was acquired by Lord Lonsdale in 1844 and was to be hung in Whitehaven Castle. The Lonsdale’s held the painting until 1951 and it was acquired by the Wordsworth Trust in 1952.