William Daniels

William Daniels (9 May 1813 – 13 October 1880), was a British painter known for his work in Liverpool.

Early life Daniels was born in the Scotland Road district of Liverpool. His father was a former soldier turned brick maker and his mother was a barmaid. Daniels worked with his family in the brickfields from a young age. While working there, his talent for making modelling red clay was noticed by local artist and wood-engraver Alexander Mosses, who taught him drawing and wood engraving.

Career Daniels was entirely self-taught as a paintermostly teaching himself at home by candle-light. He is considered one of the 'Liverpool school' of painters, Liverpool-born artists who flourished in first half of the 19th century, which includes William Huggins, Alexander Mosses, Robert Saloman, Charles Towne, Samuel Walters, W. L. Windus.

Personal life Art historian H.C. Marillier said he had a "taste of low life and convivial associations", an anonymous obituarist described him as having a "fascination with strong drink" and being a "slave to liquor". Many of his paintings ended up in the hands of local publicans and brewers. He enjoyed sparring with local professional boxers like Jem Ward, Tom Sayers and Jem Wharton. The clown and pub landlord Harry Boleno was also a friend. with a "bold, swarthy appearance" and was rumoured to have Romani and Welsh ancestry. Gallery