Ralph Beilby
Encyclopedia
Ralph Beilby was an English engraver, working chiefly on silver and copper.
He was the son of William Beilby, a jeweller and goldsmith of Durham
who later moved to Newcastle upon Tyne
to look for better opportunities. Ralph became a silversmith, jeweller, and seal-engraver under his father and elder brothers Richard and William junior
. In addition, he became a copper engraver to meet the demand of the then North England market. His plate "Thornton's Monument" in John Brand
's History of Newcastle shows his craftsmanship in that field. In 1767 Thomas Bewick
was apprenticed to him. They became partners 10 years later.
The texts in Bewick's A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds: Land Birds (1797) were drafted by Beilby and revised by Bewick. According to Bewick's account, Beilby wanted to have his name appeared in Land Birds as the sole author; however, upon Bewick's disagreement, neither of them was named as the author (Bewick, pp. 122-123). The partnership came to an end in 1797, after the publication of Land Birds. They were tentatively reconciled in 1800, co-operating again for some projects, including the publication of Figures of British Land Birds. Bewick came to Beilby's defense when the latter had been defamed in a supplement to the third edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica
published in 1801 (Uglow, pp. 269-270).
He was the son of William Beilby, a jeweller and goldsmith of Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
who later moved to Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
to look for better opportunities. Ralph became a silversmith, jeweller, and seal-engraver under his father and elder brothers Richard and William junior
William Beilby
William Beilby was a British glassworker known to have produced eminent enamelled glass during the later half of the 18th century....
. In addition, he became a copper engraver to meet the demand of the then North England market. His plate "Thornton's Monument" in John Brand
John Brand
John Brand was an English antiquarian.Born in Washington, County Durham, he was educated at the Royal Grammar School and Lincoln College, Oxford. He wrote Observations on the popular antiquities of Great Britain: Including the Whole of Mr. Bourne's Antiquitates Vulgares , generally referred to as...
's History of Newcastle shows his craftsmanship in that field. In 1767 Thomas Bewick
Thomas Bewick
Thomas Bewick was an English wood engraver and ornithologist.- Early life and apprenticeship :Bewick was born at Cherryburn House in the village of Mickley, in the parish of Ovingham, Northumberland, England, near Newcastle upon Tyne on 12 August 1753...
was apprenticed to him. They became partners 10 years later.
The texts in Bewick's A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds: Land Birds (1797) were drafted by Beilby and revised by Bewick. According to Bewick's account, Beilby wanted to have his name appeared in Land Birds as the sole author; however, upon Bewick's disagreement, neither of them was named as the author (Bewick, pp. 122-123). The partnership came to an end in 1797, after the publication of Land Birds. They were tentatively reconciled in 1800, co-operating again for some projects, including the publication of Figures of British Land Birds. Bewick came to Beilby's defense when the latter had been defamed in a supplement to the third edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
published in 1801 (Uglow, pp. 269-270).