(1803 - 1840)
George Chambers senior was born at Whitby, the son of a sailor. To support his family, he shipped aboard an uncle's Humber keel, aged ten. At twelve, he took an apprenticeship on a brig under Captain Storr, who recognised his talent for painting and released him. He became a house and ship painter in Whitby but also made ship portraits for captains and took lessons from a local drawing master. In c.1820 he settled in London, painting ships and scenery for the Pavilion Theatre. In 1830 he was commissioned by William IV to paint four pictures. He was elected a member of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours in 1836. Chambers travelled to Holland twice and, in 1840, to Madeira to recuperate from illness, dying shortly after his return.
