Benjamin Clayton—I, Engraver
(b. about 1754, d. 1814)
Engraver
From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913
Son of a clock-maker in Dublin, was born about 1754. He entered the Dublin Society's School in 1766 and won prizes for "pattern drawing" in 1769 and 1770. He worked as an engraver in Dublin for many years, at first in Great Britain Street and afterwards, from 1807, at No. 1 Ryder's Row. His work was principally for book illustrations. Some excellent plates by him will be found in "The Sentimental and Masonic Magazine," 1794-1795.
In Ferrar's "View of Dublin," 1796, is a "View of Loughlinstown Camp" and "A View of Sarah Bridge," after a drawing by J. H. Campbell. He etched some political and other caricatures, such as "The City Fox running away with the Farmer's Goose," etc., and did general commercial engraving; he also engraved clocks and mathematical instruments, and in 1800 the seal of the Corporation of the Borough of Baltinglass.
He died in Ryder's Row in 1814. He was twice married. By his first wife he was father of Samuel, Benjamin, and Robert Clayton, who all followed their father's profession. His second wife, his servant maid Mary Woods, whom he married in 1812, survived him.