William Foy

1791 - 1862

Ireland William Foy was born in County Londonderry and was a pupil of the Rev. James Knox, headmaster of the New Free School (later Foyle College). He studied art at the Dublin Society School and may be the William Foy who entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1814. He was a prolific portrait painter and a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy, Royal Hibernian Academy and elsewhere. In 1861 he had an exhibition in the British Institution in London. He lived in London and Dublin. A portrait by him is in the collection Londonderry College and an engraving after him is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.