Albert Newsam

Albert Newsam (May 20, 1809 – November 20, 1864[1]) was an American artist. Born deaf and based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he created paintings and drawings, including portraits.

Albert Newsam
Albert Newsam, circa 1850
Born(1809-05-20)May 20, 1809
Steubenville, Ohio, US
DiedNovember 20, 1864(1864-11-20) (aged 55)
NationalityAmerican
EducationPennsylvania School for the Deaf
Known forEngraving

Early life

Albert Newsam was born in Steubenville, Ohio United States. He was born deaf and was orphaned.[2] He was a creative child, and at age eleven he was taken to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a William P. Davis[1] who pretended to be deaf, and made money off of Newsam's talents. In 1820,[2] Newsam was placed in the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, where he attended school.[3]

Mid-life and career

He started an engraving apprenticeship in 1827. He worked for Cephas G. Childs.[3] Newsam trained under George Catlin, and other engravers.[1] Newsam's work was published by Childs starting in 1829.[3] After working for Childs, he became principal artist for Peter S. Duval. Newsam specialized in portraits, which he painted and also etched on stone to make lithographs. He also worked off of the work of photographers and artists, such as Henry Inman and Gilbert Stuart, among others. Newsam created portraits of politicians, religious figures, and wealthy people. He also created landscapes, medical illustrations,[2] and sheet music.[1]

Later life, death, and legacy

His eyesight started to decline in 1857.[1] In 1859, Newsam experienced a stroke. This affected his ability to work, and ended his career. He lived at the Living Home for the Sick and Well in Delaware until his death. His stay at the home was financially sponsored by his friends. He was interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.[4] William James Campbell collected some of his lithographs.[5] A collection of his prints is held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.[2]

Notable collections

Further reading
  • Lang, Harry G. Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group (1995). pp. 274–276. ISBN 0313291705
  • Stauffer, DMN. Lithographic Portraits of Albert Newsam. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (1901).

References
  1. Bewley, John. "Keffer Collection of Sheet Music, ca. 1790–1895". Rare Book and Manuscript Library. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  2. "Albert Newsam Print Collection (V-100)" (PDF). Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  3. "Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb". The Library Company of Philadelphia. World Digital Library. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  4. Pyatt, Joseph O. (1868). Memoir of Albert Newsam: Deaf Mute Artist. Philadelphia: Jas. B. Rodgers. p. 136. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  5. "William James Campbell Papers".
  6. "Albert Newsam (self-portrait)". The Collection – Greenfield American Art Resource. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
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