Benjamin West

(b Springfield [now Swarthmore], PA, 10 Oct 1738; d London, 11 March 1820).

West was born in 1738 near the town of Springfield in what would become the state of Pennsylvania. In 1760, he left America for England and never returned. He was court painter to King George III, and president of the Royal Academy in London for many years. West was known for contemporary history paintings such as The Death of General Wolfe, and mythological scenes. West also served as the teacher and mentor of many prominent American painters, such as Gilbert Stuart and Thomas Sully. He died in 1820 in London. (Source: ROBERT C. ALBERTS, "Benjamin West," The Grove Dictionary of Art Online (Oxford University Press) Accessed March 29, 2004) http://www.groveart.com