William Simpson 1823-1899

Simpson was born in Glasgow on 28th October 1823 and died in Willesden on 17th August 1899.  After working in an architect's office he was apprenticed to a Glasgow firm of lithographers.  In 1851 he moved to London and worked for Day & Son.  He was sent to the Baltic by Colnaghi to record the naval battles at the beginning of the Crimean War and in 1854 he was sent to Crimea itself.  He also toured Circassia with the Duke of Newcastle.  In 1859 he was sent to India where he spent three years and even penetrated Tibet.  On his return to London he was employed by the Illustrated London News.  He travelled extensively in this capacity and returned to India with the Prince of Wales in 1875