Richardson Thomas Miles Snr (1784-1848)
Thomas Miles Richardson snr was a prominent painter and teacher and was one of the most highly regarded painters in watercolours produced by the North East of England. He was born in Newcastle and showed a passionate love for drawing from early childhood. He became drawing master at St Andrew's Free School, Newcastle, and later took a passage to London by ship where he made the acquaintance of some of the best work of Britain's artists including David Cox.
His work at first attracted little interest in Newcastle, but his painting 'A view of Newcastle Fish Market' was accepted by the RA and he began to exhibit at the British Institution. Richardson helped set up the Northern Society of Painters in Water Colours and this Society became a meeting place for a number of talented watercolourists.
He was father of six artist sons.