William Howison or Howieson ARSA (1798-1850) was a Scottish engraver of note in the early 19th century.

Life

He was born in Edinburgh and educated at George Heriot's School. He was originally apprenticed to an engraver named Wilson and later worked under William Home Lizars. David Octavius Hill introduced him to Sir George Harvey, after which point he reproduced many of Harvey's paintings in engraved form. He gained particular notoriety for his engraving ''The Curlers'' which led to his acceptance into the

Royal Scottish Academy The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) is the country’s national academy of art. It promotes contemporary Scottish art. The Academy was founded in 1826 by eleven artists meeting in Edinburgh. Originally named the Scottish Academy, it became the ...

, the only engraver admitted. In the 1830s he is listed as living and working at 227 High Street on Edinburgh's

Royal Mile The Royal Mile () is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W. M. Gilbert's ''Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century'' (1901), des ...

. He died on 20 December 1850 at 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh, and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in the centre of Edinburgh with his widow Jane Scott (1801-1871) and children. The grave lies in the northern half of the graveyard, towards the west side, against the sunken vault.

Works

*The Curlers (1838) *The Covenanters' Communion *A Schule Skailin *The First Letter from the Emigrants (after Thomas Faed RA)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howison, William People educated at George Heriot's School Scottish engravers 1798 births 1850 deaths Royal Scottish Academicians Artists from Edinburgh Burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard