About Joseph Collyer
Lived 1748 – 1827 (aged 79). Joseph Collyer was a British engraver and copper engraver.
Joseph Collyer (14 September 1748 – 24 December 1827), also called Joseph Collyer the Younger, was a British engraver. He was an associate of the Royal Academy and portrait engraver to the British Queen Consort, Queen Charlotte.
Life and work Collyer, the younger, was born in London, the son of Joseph Collyer (d. 1776), editor and translator, and Mary Collyer (née Mitchell, d. 1763), translator and novelist. He studied for a short time under the engraver Anthony Walker, and applied himself to book illustrations with success. He attracted the notice of John Boydell and was employed to make an engraving after David Teniers. In 1761 he was awarded a premium from the Society of Arts; about nine years later he entered the Royal Academy, where he exhibited for the first time in 1770. He was admitted as a student in 1771. and "Una", as chalk engravings (a type of stipple engraving). He engraved some large plates including, 'The Volunteers of Ireland' after Francis Wheatley, published in 1784. In 1786 he was elected an associate engraver of the Royal Academy, and appointed portrait engraver to Queen Charlotte. In 1815 he was master of the Stationers' Company.
William Whitehead (1787); Paul Whitehead (1776); and Sir William Young. Collyer also engraved the illustrations to Hervey's 'Naval History,' besides several plates after Rooker. He last exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1822, and died on 24 December 1827.
Engraver James Heath was one of his apprentices.
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Important facts
People in Joseph Collyer's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Joseph Collyer?
English engraver (1748–1827)
When was Joseph Collyer born?
Joseph Collyer was born on 14 September 1748 in London.
When did Joseph Collyer die?
Joseph Collyer died on 24 December 1827 in London.
What was Joseph Collyer's occupation?
Joseph Collyer was an engraver and copper engraver.
What nationality was Joseph Collyer?
Joseph Collyer was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joseph Collyer. https://biography.guide/joseph-collyer/
MLA: "Joseph Collyer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joseph-collyer/.
Chicago: "Joseph Collyer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joseph-collyer/.
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