A student at the Lowell Institute in Lowell, Massachusetts, William Closson had an early career as an engraver and worked from 1881 to 1883 in Europe where he engraved masterpieces for "Harper's" magazine. In 1888, he created a wood-engraving technique, and he did engraving for Louis Prang.

In 1890, he changed his focus from engraving to painting with oils and pastels.

Source:
Peter Falk, "Who Was Who in American Art"

The following is from Peter Kostoulakos, ISA ˜ Fine Art Consultant www.pkart.com

William Baxter Palmer Closson, a painter and wood engraver of portraits, genre, landscapes, coastal scenes and gardens, resided and worked in Newton and Magnolia, MA. He was born in Thetford, VT on October 13, 1848 and died in May of 1926 just months before his 78th birthday.

Closson studied at the Lowell Institute in Boston, MA and was a member of the Boston Art Club; Copley Society; Washington Society of Artists; Washington Art Club; Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts; Allied Artists of America; American Institute of Graphic Arts; Union Internationale des Beaux-Arts et des Lettres; National Arts Club; and League of American Artists, Massachusetts.

Closson exhibited and won medals at the Charitable Mechanics Association; the Paris Salon, 1882; the Columbian Exposition in Chicago; and the St. Louis Exposition of 1904.

William B. P. Closson's work is in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, New York Public Library, Carnegie Institute, John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, Gallaudet College, and National Arts Club in New York.

Reference:
Peter Falk, "Who Was Who in American Art", vol. I, page 119; Ray Davenport, "Davenport's Art Reference" 2001/2002, page 418