WILLIAM, an English portrait and historical painter, born at London in 1610. He served an apprenticeship to one Peck, a stationer and picture dealer; and while in his employment he began to copy the pictures of Titian and Van Dyck, whose manner he ever after retained. Van Dyck, happening to pass a shop in Snow Hill where one of Dobson's pictures was exposed, sought out the artist, and presented him to Charles I., who took Dobson under his protection, and not only sat to him several times for his own picture, but caused the Prince of Wales, Prince Rupert, and many others, to do the same. After the fall of Charles, Dobson was reduced to great poverty, and fell into dissolute habits. He died at the early age of 36.