Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cotman, Miles Edmund
COTMAN, MILES EDMUND (1810–1858), landscape painter, eldest son of John Sell Cotman [q. v.], was born 5 Jan. 1810. He was brought up as an artist under his father's instruction. He continued to teach his father's pupils and classes at Norwich after the latter was appointed drawing-master at King's College, London. In 1836 he was appointed assistant to his father at King's College, and in 1843 succeeded him in his appointment; but, owing to a change in the arrangements which would have required a longer attendance at the college than his health permitted, he did not hold the appointment long. In the latter part of his life he resided at North Walsham, where he continued painting and teaching till his health declined. He was admitted into the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in December 1857, suffering from disease of the ankle-joint, and died there 23 Jan. 1858.
Cotman painted river and sea views in oil and water colours, and etched a few plates, some of which were published by C. Muskett of Norwich; he also lithographed twelve facsimiles of sketches made by his father in Norfolk, which were published. His works are marked by taste and skill rather than by power or originality. He exhibited four works at the Royal Academy, ten at the British Institution, and nineteen at the Society of British Artists between 1835 and 1856.
[Information communicated by Mr. James Reeve of Norwich; Graves's Dict. of Artists.]