Background
The son of William Say, a Norfolk land-steward, he was born at Lakenham, near Norwich.
The son of William Say, a Norfolk land-steward, he was born at Lakenham, near Norwich.
At about the age of twenty he came to London, and obtained instruction from James Ward, who was then practising mezzotint engraving. In 1807 Say was appointed engraver to the Duke of Gloucester. He died at his residence in Weymouth Street, London, on 24 August 1834.
His stock of plates and prints was sold the following July.
Of these the eldest, Mary Anne, became the wife of John Buonarotti Papworth, and the youngest, Leonora, married William Adams Nicholson.