Thornhill

Thornhill, SIR JAMES (1676-1734), historical painter and sergeant-painter to Queen Anne, decorated the dome of St Paul's, executed paintings for Blenheim, parts of Hampton Court, and Greenwich Hospital. Of his easel-pictures the best known is the view of the House of Commons in 1730; and he executed a few portraits, some etchings, and good copies of Raphael's cartoons. He founded a successful drawing-school, his most famous pupil being Hogarth, his future son-in-law. Knighted by George I. in 1715, he sat in parliament as member for his native borough of Melcombe Regis.