STOTHARD, CHARLES ALFRED

STOTHARD, CHARLES ALFRED, an ingenious antiquarian draughtsman, son of Thomas Stothard the painter, noticed in the next article, was born in London on the 5th of July 1786. After studying successively at the Royal Academy, the Life Academy, and at the British Institution, Pall Mall, he began, in 1810, his first historical piece, "The Death of Richard II. in Pomfret Castle." Having taken a strong interest from an early period in the costumes of different ages and nations, he was induced to publish the first part of a valuable work on the The Monumental Effigies of Great Britain in 1811. It is of great value to the historical painter, as well as to the player, and the work met with entire success. He was appointed historical draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries, and was deputed by that body to commence his visits to Bayeux, to make drawings of the fine old remains of ancient tapestry

which had been preserved there. Stothard was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1819. He subsequently engaged in numerous journeys, with the view of illustrating the works of D. Lysous. When at Beer-Ferrers, Stothard, while engaged in tracing a portrait from one of the windows of the church, fell from a height of 10 feet, and was killed on the spot. This occurred on the 27th of May 1821. Stothard's widow and her brother completed his Monumental Effigies, which was left unfinished at the time of his death. His biography has since been written by his widow, now Mrs. Bray, known as a popular writer of novels and books of travel.