born April 16, 1821, Calais, Fr.
died Oct. 6, 1893, London, Eng.
British painter.
He studied in Bruges, Antwerp, Paris, and Rome. In Italy (1845) he met Peter von Cornelius, a member of the Nazarenes , who influenced his palette and style. His use of brilliant colour, meticulous handling, and taste for literary subjects had a strong effect on the Pre-Raphaelites , most notably Dante Gabriel Rossetti . His most famous paintings are The Last of England (185255), a poignant tribute to emigration, and Work (185263), a Victorian social commentary. In 1861 he became a founding member of William Morris 's company, for which he designed stained glass and furniture.