Identity:

William Edward Norton was a marine painter.

Life:

Norton was a student of George Inness in Boston and of Jacquesson de la Chevreuse and Vollon in Paris. He won three gold medals in Boston and an honorable mention in Paris in 1895 and was awarded the Osborne Prize in 1905.

Between 1882 and 1901 Norton exhibited in London at the Royal Academy, Royal Insitute of Oil Painters, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Grosvenor Gallery, New English Art Club and Society of British Artists, a society that elected JW its President in 1886.

He appears to have been acquainted with JW about 1889, when he expressed an interest in attending JW's Criterion dinner, being organised by William Christian Symons to congratulate JW on being made an honorary member of the Royal Academy in Munich. At this date he was living in London at 23 Camden Road, N.W. (#02194).

He also exhibited at the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Royal Society of Artists in Birmingham, Liverpool Art Exhibition and Manchester Art Exhibition.

Bibliography:

Bénézit, E., Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, 8 vols, Paris, 1956-61; Johnson, J., and A. Gruetzner, Dictionary of British Artists 1880-1940, Woodbridge, 1980.