Background
Judson, William Lees was born on April 1, 1842 in Manchester, England. Son of John Randle and Ann (Smithurst) Judson.
Judson, William Lees was born on April 1, 1842 in Manchester, England. Son of John Randle and Ann (Smithurst) Judson.
Came to America, 1852. Educational public schools, Brooklyn, New York, and London, Ontario. Studied art under John B. Irving, New York, and Boulanger and Lefebvre, Paris.
Enlisted in Illinois State Militia, about May 1861, and served to close of Civil War, in detached service in commissary department (field), after first year Farmed in Ontario, 1865-1867. Followed profession in New York, Toronto and London, Canada, until 1890, Chicago, 1890-1893, in California, since 1893. Professor of drawing and painting, University of Southern California, 1896-1901.
Founded, 1901, and dean, College of Fine Arts.
President Arroyo Guild of Craftsmen, Southern California History Society California Painters Club.
Mason.
Married Maria Bedford, May 17, 1869 (died 1885). Children: Maude Alethe, Frank Besinerk, Walter Horace, Bertha May, Paul Richard, Lionel, Meria Pearl.