Explore: William Henry Bartlett

(1809 - 1854)

William Henry Bartlett was born in London. He was apprenticed to antiquary and draughtsman John Britton, who sent him around the country making sketches, some of which became illustrations to Britton’s publications. In the 1830s and ‘40s, Bartlett travelled through Europe, the Middle East and North America. He visited North America four times between 1836 and 1854, making illustrations for ‘American Scenery’ (1840) and ‘Canadian Scenery’ (1842), both by Nathaniel P. Willis. In the mid-1840s, Bartlett began writing and illustrating his own publications including ‘History of the United States of America’ (1856). He also edited ‘Sharpe’s London Magazine’ (1849-52). He died unexpectedly, aged 45, returning from Asia Minor and was buried at sea.