Henry Callender, Esq (Restrike Etching) by Lemuel Francis Abbott

Lemuel Francis Abbott was the son of a Leicestershire clergyman. He became a pupil of Frank Hayman when he was 14, before moving to London to embark on a career as a portrait painter.

Abbott first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1788 and continued to continued to do so until 1800. He painted Lord Nelson several times and one of these paintings hangs in the gallery of Greenwich Hospital. His portraits have been engraved by Valentine Green, Skelton and Walker.

Abbott's reputation as a painter spread but overwork led to worry, depression and an early grave.