( - c.1777)
Little is known of Thomas Lawranson. He is thought to have been born in Ireland. He sent a self-portrait to the first exhibition of the Society of Artists in 1760 and became a regular contributor there until 1777. He was made a fellow of the Incorporated Society of Artists of Great Britain (later Society of Artists) and became a director in 1772. In 1771 Lawranson was also elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He had a son, the painter and engraver William Lawranson (c.1742-c.1783), with his wife, Mary. The family lived at No. 1 Great Russell Street, in Bloomsbury, London, where Lawranson probably died soon after he last exhibited his work in 1777. Today, two examples of his portraits are in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
