HODGES, William. London 26.10.1744 — Brixham, Devon 6.3.1797. British Artist in India. “Son of a smith, learnt to draw, exhibited at the Society of Artists, became a draughtsman on Captain Cook’s second expedition, 1772-75; exhibited at the Royal Academy, went to India, 1778-84, under the patronage of Warren Hastings.” Stayed mainly in Lucknow. Member of Royal Academy 1789, visited St. Petersburg 1790, retired as a painter in 1795. He settled now in Devon and became involved in a bank business, which failed in 1797. Possibly committed suicide. Married 1776 Martha Bowden Nesbit (d. 1777), 1784 Lydia Wright, who also died soon, and 1785 Ann Mary Carr, with whom he had three daughters and two sons. He is best known of his large landscape paintings.
Publications: A comparative view of the ancient monuments of India. 1785 (but see R. Gough!).
– Select Views in India. L. 1786.
– Travels in India during the years 1780-83. L. 1793, 2nd corrected ed. 154 p. 14 pl. L. 1794, also in French translation.
Sources: Buckland, Dictionary; L.C[ust], D.N.B. 27, 1891, 61f.; *G.H.R. Tillotson, “The Indian Travels of W.H.”, JRAS 3rd S. 2, 1992, 377-398; Wikipedia.
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