Joseph Drew

Joseph Drew (21 May 1814 – 3 December 1883) was an English newspaper editor, steamboat proprietor, art collector, writer and lecturer.

The family probably came to London from Dorset shortly before Joseph was born, as his elder siblings Sarah and Henry had been baptised in Wyke Regis.

In about 1838 he moved to Guernsey with his wife and their four young children and set up his own confectioners in St. Peter Port, but returned to Weymouth a few years later.

In 1852, by reason of his wealth and influence as a newspaper proprietor, Joseph Drew became a partner in the company Cosens & Co. which operated paddle steamers from Weymouth.

[5] Drew's collection included 'the equestrian Vandyke' (sic); and there were pencil sketches by Turner, Rembrandt, Rubens, Paolo Veronese, Andrea del Sarto and Titian.

Drew wrote and lectured on a wide range of subjects in the fields of art, science, history and religion.