James Basire

[1] A member of the Society of Antiquaries, James Basire specialized in prints depicting architecture.

His appointment as engraver to the society, as were all three generations, and much of his finest work is found in Vetusta Monumenta.

However, Peter Ackroyd's biography notes that Blake was later to add Basire's name to a list of artistic adversaries – and then crossed it out.

[4] He assisted in the production of Stuart's Athens and engraved several good portraits of eminent men.

Among his other works were:[5] Amongst Basire's apprentices were Thomas Ryder (1746–1810), George Cooke (1781–1834), and John Roffe (1769–1850).