Francis Bicknell Carpenter

A.N.A. Portrait painter; born in Homer (N.Y.), August 6, 1830; died in NYC, May 23, 1900. Best known for his 'First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation' and his book, 'Six Months in the White House,' Carpenter spent most of his career in Homer (until 1852) and NYC (1852-60 and after), with porfessional visits to Washington in 1855 and 1864. He exhibited widely: at the National Academy, American Art-Union, Brooklyn Athenaeum, Brooklyn Art Association, Washington Art Association, and the Boston Athenaeum.

In 1844 he bacame a pupil of Sanford Thayer at Syracuse, NY. In 1851 he removed to New York City and painted portraits of many prominent people: Lincoln, Fillmore, Greeley, Asa Packer, Lieut. Gov. Woodford, Ezra Comell, Geo. Wm. Curtis, James Russel Lowell, Lewis Gass and many other. His most celebrated work, 'The Emancipation Proclamation,' was exhibited in the large cities in 1864-65 and was later in the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.