COI'LEY, JOHN SINGLETON, was born at Boston, in the United States, July 3, 1737. His father, who was of Euglieh extraction, resided is Ireland until his removal to America, which took place so immediately before hie son was born that Ireland Us claimed him as a native. He was educated in America; and without the aid of instructors, simply by studying from nature in the groups around him and the neighbouring woods, he taught himself to paint. In 1760 he sent a picture of a ' Boy and Tame Squirrel' to the exhibition of the Royal Academy, which was universally admired. By the year 1767 he was in the receipt of a considerable income as a portrait-painter, and was well known both by hie works and by name to his brother painters on this side of the Atlantic. In 1774 he indulged a long-felt wish to visit Italy, which he reached by way of London. In the fol lowing year he returned to London, and established himself in George street, Hanover-square. In 1777 he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy, and In 1783 ho became a member. He died In 1815.
His son, the present Lord Lyndhurst, possesses some of hie father's best paintings.
The best known of Copley's works is the 'Death of Lord Chatham; now in the National Collection. It wan engraved by Bartolozzi ou a plate of an unusual size, and the engraving was extensively sold. The painter sent an impression to General Washington, and another to John Adams. Copley painted many historical subjects, some sacred, and not a few illustrating the history of Eugland, particularly the period of the revolution. Perhaps the most spirited design from hie pencil is the death of Major Pierson a young officer who died in the defence of St. Helier's In Jersey against the French, et the moment when his troops gained a victory over an enemy of superior numbers. There is a dryness and stiffuess of manner In Copley's paintings generally which is less observable in this picture. It is among those in the possession of Lord Lyndhurst..