Sir William Russell Flint
(1880 - 1969)
Sir William Russell Flint was born in Edinburgh in 1880, son of the
artist and illustrator, Francis Wighton Flint. He received his
formal training at the Royal Institution School of Art in Edinburgh
and served a six-year apprenticeship as a lithographer and designer.
At the age of 20 he moved to London to work as a medical
illustrator. Three years later he began working as an illustrator
for the Illustrated London News. As a result his work quickly gained
recognition throughout Britain.
In 1912 Sir William Russell Flint
moved to Italy, but his idyllic life as a freelance artist was
interrupted by the onset of World War One. He joined the Royal Navy
Airforce where he became Admiralty Assistant Overseer – Airships.
After the war, Flint travelled to France and Spain. It was during
this period that his work became more widely recognised and in 1924
he was elected Associate of the Royal Academy, becoming a full
member in 1933. In 1936 he was made President of the Royal Society
of Painters in Watercolours.
He moved back to London and in 1947
he was knighted. The Royal Academy staged a retrospective exhibition
of his work in 1962 and he continued painting until his death on
30th December 1969 at the age of 89.
His work is displayed in galleries
and museums throughout the world, where it continues to give
pleasure and enjoyment to those who admire his extraordinary talent.