Thomas Buchanan Read (March 12, 1822 – May 11, 1872) was an American poet and painter. His portraits
include many famous individuals including Robert Browning, Joseph Harrison Jr., William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Alfred Tennyson.
He first achieved national prominence in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied under sculptor Shobal Vail Clevenger and opened an art studio sponsored by wealthy horticulturist Nicholas Longworth. He chafed under criticism from Longworth and moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he befriended poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and painter Washington Allston. He moved to Rome, Italy, and opened a studio, but achieved most of his artistic success while living in Florence, Italy. He was briefly associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He returned to the United States during the American Civil War and served as a major in the Union Army.
His most well known poem, "Sheridan's Ride", depicts Union General Philip Sheridan's charge at the Battle of Cedar Creek during the American Civil War. Read gave recitations of the poem to the public and troops to build support for the war in the North. The poem's popularity also prompted the creation of several paintings by Read depicting the scene.
Early life and education
Read was born on March 12, 1822, in Corner Ketch, a hamlet near Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He received only an elementary school level of education. After the death of his father, he apprenticed with a local tailor then moved to Philadelphia and worked as a grocer and tobacconist. At age 15, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to live with his sister. He worked painting signs and apprenticed under sculptor Shobal Vail Clevenger. He also worked as an actor impersonating female roles due to his slight build.
Career
thumb|Read's painting of the three daughters of [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is considered one of his best works]]
In Cincinnati, Read established a portrait studio with the assistance of the wealthy horticulturist Nicholas Longworth. In 1840, he gained national prominence through his portrait of Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. He also published his first poetry collection in the Cincinnati Chronicle and Times.
In 1846 he moved backed to Philadelphia and in 1850, he moved to Rome, Italy, where he opened a studio and achieved success in art and literature. He returned to the United States in 1861 at the outbreak of the American Civil War and joined the Union Army. and gave public performances of his war songs to rally the Union troops. The work proved so popular, he was asked by Union League of Philadelphia to create a painting of the subject matter.
President Ulysses S. Grant purchased the painting of "Sheridan's Ride" with the intent to hang it in the White House. It remained with the Grant Family until 1939, when it was donated to the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.
His portrait work also includes Robert Browning, Joseph Harrison Jr.,
Personal life
In 1843, Read married Mary J. Pratt and together they had three children.
In 1908, the Thomas Buchanan Read School in the Elmwood Park neighborhood of Philadelphia was named in his honor.
In 1922, the Chester County Historical Society erected a historical marker near the home where Read was born.