Myles Birket Foster, RWS (1825-99)
Prominent & highly regarded landscape & figurative painter. Born in North Shields; came to London when he was five, Began as wood engraver under P Landells when he was sixteen. Taught himself to paint in the 1850s & became a highly accomplished watercolourist. Travelled all over Europe & was admired by many leading artists of his day. He exhibited widely, and many museums & collections own examples of his work.