Year: 1875

The sad intelligence reached the city yesterday that
William Craig the foremost artist Of his day in water
color painting, drowned In the depths OF Lake
George Up this hour nothing has been learned OF the
particulars Of his death neither by any member Of the
fraternity which be belonged by his relatives who
reside here in New York All that be ascertaned is
that while pursuing his professional studies along the
lake mishap occurred by which he lost his life


The history Of the is 80 remarkable his genius
versatile yet deep and profound his successes
numerous and the amount of work he turned out so
great that the sad ending Of his career while yet scarcely
middle aged will send pang Of regret to many human
heart William Craig born in the city OF Dublin, Ire
land, December IL 1922 consequently be the time
Of his death about forysx years age He began while
quite young develop his peculiar faculty, and the
tender age Of eight had finished his FIRST picture Art
10 him was innate-nay, seemed to burn within
him Ike hidden FIRE. So passionately devoted was
he TO it, that his relatives state he neglected his
books, his food his sleep, and when missing would
always be found brooding ncompleted
sketch else copying from some picture that took his
youthful fancy. His father, while watching with no
little qualification this genius In his child last be-
came alarmed at the neglect he was showing TO his
studies, forbade him from pursuing his art and com
PEELED him 10 devote his attention rgdly TO his books
Up the age Of fourteen therefore, he received good
training the Fundamental branches of the academy
but after this brief Of years he quilted school, and
until his untimey death has devoted himself exclusively
10 his art


His arst success was highly hattering and was re-
ceIved when only fifteen years Of age, when owing TO
the marked excellence Of a water color sketch which
the young artist had sent In TO the Royal Dublin So
ciety, the Lord Lieutenant gave him handsome pro-
MUM. This so encouraged him that he confined him.
self sl rgdly to his easel, and at sixteen
oeived another premium from the source At the
age Of seventeen the Lord Lieutenant gave him what s
known the highest certificate Of merit upon the
presentation Of which be informed that the char
rnf tlat ha
be regarded pupil and therefore could contend no
for any prize offered BY the society The fact Is
that young Craig had already secured all the first prizes
IN the society, and accordingly felt himself warranted
IN setting out Tor his fortune


He proceeded 10 England, where he met with
fond reception and enjoyed the instruction Of the best
His pictures bore the marks Of such consum-
and also secured numerous prizes in the best English
academies After leaving England he travelled all over
Scotland Ireland and Wales, and in the year 1868 left
his native country 10 settle permanently the United
his brothers this side Of the eagerly greeted
him, and be, along with four other noted artists
in water color, founded the American
| Water Color Society, which IS now one Of our
far and wide Winter in the North would hurry him
OF the tropical regions Of far South and summer
in the South would alike hurry him back 10 the cool
mountains and delicious scenery Of our noted Northern
| lakes. He painted much no artist perhaps, ever
lived who turned or 80 much that was done 50 well
and yesterday, when he died he was fulfilling heavy
contract for party Of private gentlemen who had sent
him 70 the lovely regions Of the Horizon.


In stature he was five feet eight inches In height His
frame si ght but his health always exceedingly
good he has frequently been heard 20 say that he
never experienced hour Of sickness 10 his life His
face was dark and covered with heavy black beard.
happy and kind and his heart tender and liberal
his genius. He leaves 20 family.