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William Doughty

1755 – 1782

English painter and engraver

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About William Doughty

Lived 1755 – 1782 (aged 26–27). William Doughty was a painter and printmaker.

William Doughty (1757–1782), a painter and engraver, was born in York in 1757. In 1776, he became a pupil of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and after an unsuccessful attempt as a portrait painter in Ireland, he in 1779 settled down in London; but in the following year he set sail for Bengal, having just married a servant girl, from Reynolds's house. His ship, however, was captured by the French and Spanish, by whom he was brought to Lisbon, where he died in 1782. Two paintings which he exhibited were a 'Circe' and a portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds; but he was more successful with his etchings and mezzotint portraits, among which are the following:

Thomas Beckwith, the Antiquary of York. Thomas Gray, the Poet. Admiral Keppel; after Sir Joshua Reynolds. William Mason, the Poet; after the same. Mary Palmer, the niece of Sir Joshua Reynolds, afterwards Marchioness of Thomond; after the same. Dr. Samuel Johnson; after the same.

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Important facts

Born
1755, York
Birth century
Died
1782, Lisbon
Occupation

People in William Doughty's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

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Frequently asked questions

Who was William Doughty?

English painter and engraver

When was William Doughty born?

William Doughty was born in 1755 in York.

When did William Doughty die?

William Doughty died in 1782 in Lisbon.

What was William Doughty's occupation?

William Doughty was a painter and printmaker.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Doughty

· Wikidata: Q8007921

· DBpedia: William Doughty (painter)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Doughty. https://biography.guide/william-doughty/

MLA: "William Doughty." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-doughty/.

Chicago: "William Doughty." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-doughty/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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