Sir Joshua Reynolds

Born July 16, 1723, Plympton, Devonshire, England, son of Reverend Samuel Reynolds. Exhibited 1760 first public exhibition in England held by newly founded Society of Artists. Reynolds sent 4 portraits and received a fulsome press notice in the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE. Buys a house in Leicester Fields (later Leicester Square in London) where he remains for rest of his life. In 1764 he help found the Literary Club. Suffers a stroke in 1764. 1766 elected member of the Society of Dilettanti. Reynolds become first president of the Royal Academy, 1768. Received D.C.L. of University of Oxford. Mayor of Plympton in 1773. Collected and published his first seven DISCOURSES in 1778. Lost sight in left eye in 1789. Dies February 23, 1792 and funeral is March 3, 1792 in St. Paul's Cathedral.