Joseph William Allen RBA (1803 – 29 August 1852) was an English landscape painter and art teacher, who was also active in the founding of the Society of British Artists.
[1][2] Allen was born in Lambeth, London, the son of a schoolmaster, and attended St Paul's School.
He initially found employment as an assistant to an art dealer, under whom he acquired a considerable knowledge of the old masters, and the monetary value of their works.
His subjects consisted chiefly of views in North Wales, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and the midland counties.
[1][3] Allen was active in the establishment of the Society of British Artists and became its secretary, his loyalty to the newly formed organisation shown by the fact that he refused to exhibit anywhere else in London apart from its Gallery in Suffolk Street.