Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Biffin, Sarah
BIFFIN or BEFFIN, SARAH (1784–1800), miniature painter, was born at East Quantoxhead, near Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1784. Her parents were apparently of very humble station. She was born without arms, hands, or legs (Handbill in British Museum, 1881 a 2, where her name is printed Beffin). Her height never exceeded thirty-seven inches; but by indomitable perseverance she contrived, by means of her mouth, to use the pen, the pencil, and paint-brush, and even the scissors and needle. Her first instructor was a Mr. Dukes (Gent. Mag. xxxiv. new series, 668), to whom she bound herself, and with whom she stayed sixteen years. In 1812 she was carried round the country to exhibit her powers and ingenuity, and was at Swaffham in October, the race week (Handbill). A commodious booth was hired there for her: the pit seats were 1s., the gallery seats 6d. Miss Biffin wrote her autograph for her visitors, drew landscapes before them, and painted miniatures (the charge for which, on ivory, was three guineas); and her 'conductor,' probably Mr. Dukes, promised to give a thousand guineas if she were not found to produce all he described. It is complained that Miss Biffin received only 5l per annum from Mr. Dukes (Gent. Mag.) The Earl of Morton, becoming acquainted with Miss Biffin's talents, had further instruction given to her in painting by Mr. Craig, then popular for his portraits and 'Keepsake' illustrations (Redgrave, Dictionary of Artists). The poor little artist was patronised by the royal family, and she managed to support herself by her art, receiving a medal from the Society of Artists in 1821. She finally retired to Liverpool. There age overtook her, exertions of her extraordinary kind grew very painful, and she fell into poverty, which was only lightened by the benevolence of Mr. Richard Rathbone, who organised a subscription for her benefit. She died 2 Oct. 1860, aged sixty-six years.
[Chambers's Book of Days, vol. ii. p. 404; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists of British School; Handbill to the Nobility, Ladies, and Gentlemen, No. 1881 a 2, Brit. Mus.; Gent. Mag. vol. xxxiv. new series, 1850, p. 668.]