William Wyld (London 1806-1889 Paris)

A diplomat and later a wine-merchant who spent most of his life in France, Wyld began his career in 1826 as Secretary to the British Consul in Calais, where he was a pupil of Francia. He was also a friend and admirer of Bonington and he travelled extensively with Horace Vernet, visiting Italy, Spain and Algeria. In 1855 he was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in recognition of the important part that he played in encouraging French watercolour painting.