(1823 - 1875)
Thomas Charles Leeson Rowbotham was the son of a Professor of Drawing at the Royal Naval School in New Cross. He was born in Dublin and taught by his father. He made a sketching tour to Wales in 1844, followed by tours to Scotland, Kent, Ireland, Germany and Normandy. From 1840 he exhibited at the Royal Academy and New Society of Painters in Water Colours, of which he became a member in 1851. Rowbotham succeeded his father as Professor of Drawing at the Naval School. His early work shows the influence of J. M. W. Turner. During his later career he produced mostly Italian views, although he is not known to have visited Italy. He also illustrated numerous books. Rowbotham died in poverty at his home in Kensington, London, at the age of 52.
