William Walker

William Walker (November 1729 – 18 February 1793) was an English engraver.

Biography Walker was the brother of Anthony Walker. William was born at Thirsk in November 1729, and apprenticed to a dyer. Subsequently he followed his brother to London, and was taught engraving by him. He excelled in his book-illustrations, which are very numerous, and was employed upon Paul Sandby's "Views in England and Wales," John Throsby's "Views in Leicestershire," and Harrison's "Classics." For John Boydell he executed a few large plates which were less successful. These include "Sir Balthasar Gerbier and his Family," after Anthony van Dyck, 1766; "Diana and Calisto," after François Lemoyne, 1767; "The Power of Beauty," after P. Lauri, 1767; and "Lions at Play," after Peter Paul Rubens, 1769. Walker devised the practice of , of which William Woollett made great use. He died in Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell. on 18 February 1793.

His son, John Walker, was also an engraver.