Westall, William

William Westall (1781–1850) was a British landscape painter and illustrator noted for his finely composed views of British and colonial subjects. Trained at the Royal Academy, he joined Matthew Flinders on his 1801 expedition to Australia, producing some of the earliest European views of the continent. Westall later turned his focus to topographical and architectural illustrations for British publications. His most substantial contributions include over 150 engravings for Great Britain Illustrated, a landmark series of British views; numerous plates for Ackermann’s History of the Colleges and Schools and A History of the University of Oxford; and illustrations for The Landscape Album, The History of Rugby School, and The Sporting Magazine. He also contributed to various editions of Byron’s works, often in collaboration with the Finden brothers, and was published by leading houses such as A. Fullarton & Co. and R. Ackermann.