(1783 - 1867)
Samuel Davenport was born in Bedford, the son of a land surveyor and architect. He moved to London with his family as a child and was apprenticed to Charles Turner Warren from about 1797. In 1819 he married Sarah Castle, with whom he had a son, Samuel Thomas. He produced book illustrations after works by contemporary artists, including several outline portraits, and was one of the first engravers to use steel plates rather than copper. He illustrated Rev. G. N. Wright's ‘New and Comprehensive Gazetteer’ (1834–38), was the author of a pamphlet titled ‘Engraving’ (1870s) and is thought to have written an article on book illustration for the ‘Journal of the Society of Arts’ (1865). He died aged 85, leaving a widow - his second wife Frances.
