Henry Benjamin Roberts RI BBA LA was predominantly known for his witty genre scenes in domestic settings and he’s regarded as one of the finest followers of William Henry Hunt (1790-1864). During his lifetime, critics remarked that if works by the two were hung side by side, they’d be difficult to attribute.

He trained at Liverpool Academy Schools and his works are held in numerous public collections including at the British Museum, V&A, and Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, British Institution, Royal Society of British Artists (Suffolk Street), New Gallery,

Public Collections

British Museum, V&A, Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service Resource Centre, Nottingham City Museums & Galleries, Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, Williamson Art Gallery & Museum.

Timeline

1831

Born in Liverpool, England to Benjamin Roberts, a house decorator and artist, and Hannah Roberts.

1850

Trained at Liverpool Academy Schools.

1851

Lived in Silver Street, Liverpool with his parents and siblings.

1855

Studied under William Fettes Douglas in Edinburgh.

1852-1865

Works shown at the Liverpool Academy.

1859

Elected a member of the Liverpool Academy.
Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘The Oculist’. He exhibited a total of 15 works.

1860

Debuted at the Society of British Artists.
Married Ann Barton.

1861

Lived in St Saviour, Liverpool, with his wife ‘Anny’.

1867

Elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.

1870

Elected a member of the New Society of Painters in Water Colours.

1871

Lived in Hampstead, London, with wife ‘Annie’, two children and a servant.

1878

Elected a member of the Society of British Artists.

1881

Boarded in Caernarvonshire, Wales, with his wife Ann and daughter Edith.

1891

Boarded in St Bride’s, Liverpool.

1901

Lived in Walthamstow, Essex, with his wife Anne.

1911

Lived in Cann Hall, Essex, with Edith Ritson, a widower.

1915

Died in Leyton, Essex.