Walter Howell Deverell (1827-1854)

W. H. Deverell was born to English parents living in America. They returned to England when the young Deverell was an infant. Although starting his working life in a solicitor's office his artistic interests increased when he attended Sass's art school from 1844. He turned full time to art, studying at the Royal Academy Schools from 1846.

Deverell's career was unfortunately short. In 1853 his father died and he was left with the responsibility of taking care of his younger siblings. Illness meant he had to give up his job as a teacher at the School of Design, and in some degree of poverty, he continued to paint at home. He died of Bright's disease early in 1854, aged just 27.