Background
He was born at Acton Hill, Middlesex, the son of William Adams, a tailor, and Helen Elizabeth Humphreys.
He was born at Acton Hill, Middlesex, the son of William Adams, a tailor, and Helen Elizabeth Humphreys.
He was educated at Lady Byron"s school, Baling, he received his first tuition as a sculptor under Timothy Butler. He subsequently worked in the studio of Matthew Noble, and during 1853-1858 studied at the Royal Academy Schools, where his promise was liberally recognised.
The second daughter, Clarissa, engaged in art and exhibited at the Royal Academy. To avoid confusion with other artists of the same name, Adams adopted in 1869 the additional surname of Acton from his birthplace. As a student he exhibited a medallion of Doctor Chalton in 1854, and other medallions in 1855 and 1856.
In 1858, he gained the Academy"s travelling studentship, and was at Rome till 1865.
There his success in portraiture, to which he devoted his main efforts, excited the admiration of John Gibson, who sent many visitors to his studio. Acton married on 15 August 1875, at Saint Mark"s Church, Hamilton Terrace, London, author Marion Hamilton of the Isle of Arran.