WILLIAM, an eminent English portrait and history painter, born at London in 1610. He served an apprenticeship with one Peck a stationer and picture-dealer; and owed his improvement to the copying some pictures of Titian and Van Dyck, whose manner he always retained. He had farther obligations to the latter of these artists; for it is said, that a picture of his painting being exposed at a shop on Snow-hill, Van Dyck passing by was struck with it exceedingly; and inquiring after the author, found him at work in a poor garret. Van Dyck had the generosity to equip him in a manner suitable to his merit. He presented him to King Charles I. who took him under his protection, kept him with him at Oxford all the time his majesty continued in that city, and not only fat to him several times for his picture, but caused the prince of Wales, Prince Rupert, and most of the lords of his court to do so too. Mr Dobson, however, being somewhat loose and irregular in his way of life, was far from improving the many opportunities he had of making his fortune; and died very poor in 1647, at his house in St Martin's Lane.