William Kemble

1813-ca.1870

British/American (New York, New York)

William Kemble was a New York City-based merchant and engraver active in the middle part of the 19th century. He immigrated with his wife from England to the United States on December 31, 1843 on board the ship Passmoz. He settled in New York where he established himself as an artist, merchant, publisher, inventor, and engraver. Kemble was on the 1839 management committee of the American Art Union, a now defunct organization focused on promoting subscription based sales of American art. He was also a founding member of the arts club, Century Club.