Havell, Robert (1793 - 1878)

Havell was born in Reading, England, into a family of notable engravers, etchers and painters.

He was taught the art of aquatint engraving by his father and, after working in the family business, went to work for Colnaghi's, the fine art firm in London. In 1827, he undertook the execution of aquatint plates for John James Audubon's renowned Birds of America.

In 1839, Havell moved to America, where, although continuing to work in aquatint and engraving, he turned his attention primarily to landscape painting. He died in Tarrytown, New York.

Source: extracted from: George, Alex (2011) A Banksia Album – two hundred years of botanical art, National Library of Australia, Canberra