Benjamin Marshall was born to Charles and Elizabeth Marshall in Seagrave, Leicestershire on 8 November, 1768. In 1791 at the age of twenty-three, Marshall received a recommendation letter from his local Member of Parliament and went to London to study with Lemuel Frances Abbott, a portrait painter. He quickly became recognized as a talented portrait painter and equine artist and gained the patronage of the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Dutchess of Devonshire, among others.

He exhibited thirteen paintings at the Royal Academy between 1800 and 1829, including His Game Cock and The Trimmed Cock in 1812. Also, Marshall developed a working relationship with The Sporting Magazine, which reproduced over 60 of his paintings as illustrations. Also a teacher in London, Marshall had students including John Ferneley and Abraham Cooper in London.

In 1812, Marshall moved to Norfolk to be closer to Newmarket and the racing scene, solidifying his impressive reputation as a horse painter. In 1819, while traveling from Newmarket to Rockingham Castle, his coach overturned and Marshall broke both of his legs and injured his back and head. It took him some time to recover, but he built a studio in Newmarket and returned to painting. He kept his home in Norfolk but moved back to London in 1825.

In 1827 Marshall's wife died, and sadly, in 1834 he witnessed his daughter's death from burns sustained when her dress caught fire. He never fully recovered. Marshall died on 24 July, 1835.

Source(s):

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