CAMPION, George Bryant

1796 - 1870

George Bryant Campion was born at Harwich, Essex around 1796. He married at St Dionis Backchurch, London on 20 October 1821, Elizabeth née Paling (c.1800-1877), who was born at Peckham, Surrey. In 1851, a ‘drawing master, Royal [Military] Academy’, living in Thomas Street, Woolwich with his 51-year-old wife Elizabeth and their three children, Charles 18, Edwin 14 and Emily 12, all born at Pentonville. In Clarke’s 'History of Ipswich' (Ipswich 1830), opposite page 299 is a sketch from a design by G. Campion, late of this town, this was reproduced in the 'Gentleman’s Magazine' January 1831, ‘late of Ipswich.’ Watercolour painter, initially painting landscapes and topographical views but later specialised in military subjects and studies of uniforms, and exhibited ten works at the Society of British Artists from 1829 and was one of the earliest members of the New Watercolour Society, when living at Pentonville, London, and from where, up to 1869, he exhibited over 400 watercolours and was vice-president 1839-1841. George taught drawing to private pupils and from 1841 was instructor of drawing at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich but later in life is reputed to have lived in Munich. Two watercolours of the Windsor review of 1869, offered to the Queen, were purchased by her son, Prince Arthur, whose governor described Campion as ‘a very eccentric old man, [who] will have his own way’. George Bryant Campion, of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, died at his home at 49 Woolwich Common, Woolwich, London on 1 April 1870, aged 74, and he left at least two sons Alfred Bryant and Frederick. From 9 December in that year a sale of seven hundred of his remaining pictures, sketches, and studies was held at Christie's.

---

Works by This Artist