The watercolour painter Sir Francis Powell was born in Pendleton, Manchester, on 22 March 1833. He was educated at the Rev, Dr. Beard's School. He trained at Manchester School of Art. His paintings were of marine and lake views and in 1857 he went to live in Dunoon in the Clyde estuary. In 1877 he won the Haywood prize for the best watercolour exhibited in Manchester. When he was living in Glasgow in 1878 he became one of the founders of the Royal Scottish Society of Watercolour Painters. He was its first President. Works include Ben Nevis from Locheil, The Channel tug, Loch Corruisk, and The north of Arran . His work is displayed in the Victoria and Albert, in Dundee and Glasgow, in Manchester, and in Portsmouth. Powell was knighted in 1893. Sir Francis Powell died in Dunoon on 27 November 1914.
From the guide to the Letters of Sir Francis Powell (1833-1914), 1875-1903, (Edinburgh University Library)
