Born in England to a family of shipbuilders, Charles Robert Patterson became known for his oil and watercolor marine paintings, often ships sailing on turbulent seas depicted in highly accurate historical detail. Other subjects were modern warships and yachts. His painting abilities combined with his life adventures, as he went to sea by age 13, sailed the seven seas aboard many kinds of vessels, and rounded Cape Horn four times.

In the 1920s, he settled in New York City in order to focus on his art career. He became a member of the National Arts Club, American Watercolor Society, and Allied Artists of America.
In addition to painting, he did lithographic prints and photographs, and during t...