Reynolds, Joshua

Late-deafened; one of Britain's greatest painters. Born in Plymouth, Devon, and educated in the local grammar school where his father was headmaster. Began painting at age 12; in 1740, apprenticed for 4 years to a portraitist, then studied art in Italy for 2 years. One story says he was deafened at age 26 by an illness caught while he was studying pictures in the cold, unheated corridors of the Vatican; another story notes that he fell off a horse in 1749, injuring him and leaving him with a scarred lip, and that his deafness began to appear at that time, possibly from the same injury. Always carried around an ear trumpet with him. Was knighted in 1768 by King George III; was instrumental in the founding of the Royal Academy of Art and elected its president; noted for his portraits. Did portraits of 677 persons in 1757, and was appointed the Royal Portraitist. Described his theories of art in a book, Discourses. Suffered a stroke in 1782; eyesight began to decline in 1789 and he ceased to paint at that time. Buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, London.