(1802 - 1875)
William Adolphus Knell, marine painter, was born in Carisbrooke, Hampshire. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1825. During his career he shifted from a Dutch 17th-century style of marine painting to a lighter English manner. Although most of his works depict inshore scenes of England, France and the Low Countries, his major paintings show naval engagements. Eight of his drawings were reproduced in aquatint to illustrate ‘Epitome, Historical and Statistical, Descriptive of the Royal Naval Services of England’ (published 1841). Knell exhibited at the Royal Academy, the British Institution and the Society of British Artists in London. He died in London at about the age of 74 and was buried in Abney Park cemetery, Stoke Newington.
