Naval officer and marine painter William Elliott began his career by entering the Royal Navy. He is probably the William Elliot who began as Master’s Mate aboard the ‘Roebuck’; was promoted to Lieutenant in 1782 and to Captain in 1810. The subjects of his paintings were mainly ships in conflict, at anchor or in stormy weather. Elliott first exhibited at the Free Society of Artists in 1774. He also showed his work at the Royal Academy (1784-89) and the Incorporated Society of Artists (1790-91). He was elected a fellow of the Incorporated Society and its President in 1791. Many of his works were engraved by the printmaker and publisher Valentine Green (1739-1813) and Elliott also produced some aquatint versions himself.
