(1755 - 1834)
William Russell Birch was born in Warwickshire, the son of a surgeon. As a child he was taken in by a wealthy cousin in Birmingham, who apprenticed him to London jeweller and goldsmith Thomas Jeffreys. Six years later he began studying enamel painting under Henry Spicer. In 1775 he was living in Covent Galrden. By 1787, he had moved to Hampstead Heath and he exhibited Royal Academy from 1781 to 1794. He also began working as a printmaker. In 1794, he emigrated to Philadelphia with his son, Thomas (later a marine painter). Along with his son, he engraved two series of ‘Views in Philadelphia’ (1800) and ‘Country Seats...’ (1808), as well painting enamels and miniatures of prominent Americans. He died in Philadelphia, aged 79.
