Francis Seymour Haden

Was born in London on September 16, 1818.  A surgeon by profession an etcher by avocation.  He was mostly self-taught as an etcher, and was a champion of original etchings.  He is one of the founders of the Society of Painter-Etchers in 1880, today known as the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers and served as its first president.  He helped popularize etching in England, France and the United States.  He traveled to Italy 1843-44 and there produced his first etching plates.  He was never professionally trained as an artist but visited the print shops in London to educate his eye about style and art.  During the 1850 is when his etched work took a more serious turn and began getting attention.  He worked closely with his brother-in-law, James Abbott McNeil Whistler, during this time, however, the friendship was not long to last.   His work is in most museums that have print collections.