William John Wainwright

William John Wainwright PPRBSA
Born	1855
Died	1931
Residence	Birmingham, England
Education	Birmingham School of Art
Occupation	Painter
Organization	Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

William John Wainwright PRBSA (1855–1931) was a painter who spent most of his life in Birmingham, England.

Early life

Wainwright trained at the Birmingham School of Art under the headship of Edward R. Taylor, and started his career as an apprentice at the stained-glass firm Hardman & Co.^[1] In 1879, Wainwright founded the Birmingham Art Circle with four other artists including Walter Langley.^[2]

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

Wainwright's entry in the RBSA members' register; in his own hand

Wainwright was associated with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) for 50 years until his death in 1931.^[3] During that time he achieved a number of ‘firsts’ being one of the first Associate members in 1881, the first President chosen from the ranks of the membership in 1927, and the first to have a solo exhibition of his works in 1928.^[4]

References

1. Turner, Walter (1935). W.J. Wainwright RWS, RBSA. Birmingham: Cornish Brothers Ltd. pp. 2 and 85.
2. Langley, Roger (2011). Walter Langley: From Birmingham to Newlyn. Bristol: Sansom and Company. p. 22.
3. RBSA Gallery (2011). Exhibition Catalogue for Birmingham Artist William John Wainwright (1855-1931): Characters and Costumes. Birmingham.
4. Hill, Joseph; Midgley, William (1928). The History of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. Birmingham. p. 43.