Lemuel Francis Abbot (1760/61 - 1803)

• Was an English portrait painter.
• Abbot is famous for his painting of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson and for those of other naval officers and literary figures of the 18th century.
• He was born Lemuel Abbott in Leicestershire in 1760 or 1761.
• The son of clergyman Lemuel Abbott, curate of Anstey and his wife Mary.
• In 1775, at the age of 14, he became a pupil of Francis Hayman and lived in London.
• He returned to his parents after his teacher's death in 1776.
• There he continued to develop his artistic talents independently, but some authorities have suggested that he may also have studied with Joseph Wright of Derby.
• In 1780, Abbott married Anna Maria, and again settled in London.
• Although he exhibited at the Royal Academy, he never became an Academician.
• It is said that overwork, due to the commissions he took on, and domestic unhappiness led to his becoming insane.
• He was declared insane in 1798 and was treated by Dr Thomas Munro.
• Abbott died in London on 5 December 1803.
• Some of his paintings were signed "Francis Lemuel Abbott".
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