William Williams was born in 1727, in Bristol, United Kingdom, the son of a mariner. His family is believed to have originated in Caerphilly, Wales just across the Severn Estuary from Bristol. He lived through shipwreck and adventure in the Caribbean before arriving in Philadelphia at the age of twenty.
William Williams was self-taught as a painter.
William Williams began living in Philadelphia around 1747 after time at sea. In Philadelphia, he was instrumental in building America's first theater, maintained an art studio at "The Sign of Hogarth's Head" and taught art to a young Benjamin West, among others. West later credited Williams as giving him his interest in painting. Williams associated with Benjamin Franklin, Franklin's partner, David Hall, patriot and intellectual, Benjamin Lay and with William and Lewis Hallam. Traveling with the Hallam Company he lived for a time in Jamaica and afterwards in New York City, where he married Mary Mare.
Williams returned to England in 1776, where he lived in London for some time and renewed his friendship with Benjamin West. He subsequently returned to Bristol where he painted for several years before falling on hard times. Williams is believed to have been a seafarer during the early part of his life. During that time he became a friend and shipmate of William Falconer.
Williams wrote "The Journal of Llewellin Penrose, Seaman", believed to be partly autobiographical, about a sailor who was cast away in the New World. That book is accounted by many scholars as the first American novel. Williams could not find a publisher for the book, however, because its clearly fictional elements did not fit in with the then-current vogue for true travel tales. The novel was not published until 1815, and then only in a revised form. The original text was not published until 1969.
Later in his career, Williams did some allegorical works including "Woman With a Book", which was acquired by Deerfield Academy. Although he was in the Colonies for 30 years, only about twelve paintings are certified as being painted by him. These works were not identified until the mid-1930s, and they are distinctive for their tight detailing with figures posed against theatrical, stage-set like backdrops.
The artist died in the Merchants' and Sailors' Almshouse in Bristol in 1791. Williams left his personal property to Thomas Eagles, a gentleman who helped him gain admission to the almshouse, where he lived until his death. The bequest included many books, a self-portrait and the manuscript of Penrose. John Eagles, son of Thomas, prepared an edited copy of this for publication, including 37 watercolours mainly by Nicholas Pocock, intended for engraving. Williams' original manuscript, bequeathed to Eagles senior, is at the Indiana University at Bloomington. The manuscript was transcribed and published in 1969 by Dr. David Howard Dickason.
Alburbury Castle West, Shropshire
Gentleman and Wife
Wooded Landscape with Pack Mule
William Hall
Morning View of Coalbrookdale, Shropshire
Landscape
Gilbert McHutchin
The Wiley Family
Afternoon View of Coalbrookdale, Shropshire
Water-bird poised by a river
Will Penmorfa
Portrait of a Boy, Probably of the Crossfield Family
John Adams
Church Street, Oswestry, Shropshire
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
Deborah Hall
Landscape with a Track and a Man Sitting on a Gate
Conversation Piece before House on Monument Lane, Edgbaston
David Hall
Thunderstorm with the Death of Amelia
Roger Pocklington
Portrait of a Lady
Thomas Starling (1706–1788), Mayor of Norwich (1767)
The Cast Iron Bridge near Coalbrookdale
Hotwells and Rownham Ferry
William Williams adhered to the artistic traditions of Rococo.
William was married to Mary Mare, the sister of artist John Mare Jr. William and Mary had one son, William Joseph Williams, born in New York City in 1759. William Joseph Williams became a painter as well and is considered the first American portraitist. William Williams has numerous descendants living in the United States and elsewhere.
