John Simpson (artist)
John Simpson (1782–1847) was a British painter, known for his portraits.
Early life and education
Simpson was born in London in 1782 and was a student at the Royal Academy and for some years an assistant to Sir Thomas Lawrence, PRA. He obtained some success as a portrait-painter, and eventually a very large practice. From 1807 to his death he was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy and other exhibitions. In 1834 he received a commission to go to Portugal, and painted portraits at Lisbon, where he was appointed painter to the queen of Portugal.
Career
Late 19th century biographer Sidney Lee was of the opinion that Simpson was "rather a skillful portraitist than an artist and that his portraits are not without power, but lack instinct and penetration." One of John Burnet, the engraver, is in the National Portrait Gallery. William IV and many notable persons in his day sat to him. Simpson died at Carlisle House, Soho, in 1847. He left two sons, who practised as artists, of whom Charles Simpson died young in 1848, having contributed a few landscapes to the London exhibitions. The other, Philip Simpson, was a student at the Royal Academy, and obtained some success for small domestic subjects from 1824 to 1857. One of these, called ‘I will fight,’ exhibited in the Suffolk Street Gallery in 1824, is in the Townshend collection at the South Kensington Museum.
John Simpson
John, Johnny, Jack, Jackie, or Jock Simpson may refer to:
Politicians
Cultural figures
John Simpson (Canada West politician)
John Simpson (December 27, 1807 – September 19, 1878) was a businessman and political figure in Canada West.
He was born in Helmsley, Yorkshire, England in 1807 and came to Niagara in Upper Canada in 1835 where he entered business as a bookseller. With George Menzies as a partner, he began publishing the Niagara Chronicle in 1837. He also published some other works, including The Canadian mercantile almanack, and became sole owner of the newspaper in 1839. He took on other business interests and also served as customs collector at Niagara. Simpson served on the council for Niagara District and the town council for Niagara, serving as mayor from 1852 to 1855. In 1857, he was elected to the Legislative Council for Niagara; he was reelected in 1861 and 1863. In March 1864, he was named to the Executive Council as provincial secretary. Later that year, he resigned his seat, allowing Angus Morrison to enter the cabinet. He was appointed deputy auditor general and served in that post until his death in Ottawa in 1878.
John Simpson (VC)
Major John Simpson VC (29 January 1826 – 27 October 1884) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Simpson, 32 years old, was a quartermaster-sergeant in the 42nd Regiment of Foot, British Army, later the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), during the Indian Mutiny on 15 April 1858. During the attack on Fort Ruhya, British India, Simpson volunteered to go to an exposed point within 40 yards (37 m) of the parapet of the fort under heavy fire and carried back a lieutenant and a private, both of whom were seriously wounded.
Simpson was later commissioned as a quartermaster and in 1878 he transferred to the Militia. In 1881 he was granted the honorary rank of Captain and in 1883 he was promoted Major. His grave and memorial are at Balbeggie Churchyard, St. Martin's, near Perth, Scotland. His medal is on display in the United States at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, in Los Angeles.
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