Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Beverly, William Roxby
BEVERLY, William Roxby, painter, was born in 1824, at Richmond, in Surrey, where he received his education. His father was a midshipman, named Roxby, who had served under Lord Nelson, but who left the sea and appeared on the stage under the assumed name of Beverly. It was intended that the son should follow his father's profession, but he had a pencil in his hand whenever it was possible to get one, and he was well thrashed for daubing the walls of his bedroom with soot and red lead in the endeavour to paint landscapes. In 1851 Mr. Beverly became painter and director of the painting rooms at Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres; but for some years past he has been engaged at Drury Lane exclusively. He is renowned for his gorgeous visions of fairyland, and his magnificent transformation scenes. Mr. Beverly's works in water-colours are always well placed on the line at the exhibitions of the Royal Academy, and, for the most part, they find their way into the best collections.