Thomas Sidney Cooper RA, ARA
1803 - 1902

Thomas Sidney Cooper was born in Canterbury and showed artistic talent from a very young age. Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, it was impossible for him to receive formal training and by the time he was 12 years old, he was already working as a coach painter. However, the desire to be an artist was strong and at the age of twenty, he went to London and spent hours drawing in the British Museum. He was later accepted as a student to the Royal Academy.
Cooper was elected an ARA in 1845 and RA in 1867.
He was a great philanthropist and used some of his wealth to open Alms Houses in Canterbury.