36 



SAMUEL HOWITT. 



(Born 1750. Died 1824.) 



OAMUEL HOWITT, bom in the year 1750, 

 ^ was the scion of a Nottinghamshire Quaker 

 family of independent means and good social posi- 

 tion. The artist was one of the multitudinous 

 grandchildren of Thomas Howitt and his wife 

 Elizabeth Gosforth. Mary Strong, the mother 

 of the latter, was a lady who was held in great 

 respect in her circle. 



Samuel Howitt took up his residence at Chigwell, 

 near Epping Forest, where, if we may judge by his 

 subsequent work, the study of natural history and 

 pursuit of field sports chiefly occupied him. At this 

 time, it would seem, he enjoyed a competence that 

 rendered it unnecessary for him to work for his live- 

 lihood, and dabbled in art only as an amusement. 

 Before long, however, he lost his fortune and found 

 himself obliged to turn his talents to practical 

 account ; he was either in immediate need, or being 

 entirely self-taught, lacked confidence in his own 

 ability, for instead of attempting independent work 

 as an artist, he came to London and took a situation 



