William Nelson Gardiner

Born at Dublin on 11 June 1766, he was son of John Gardiner, servant to Judge William Scott, and Margaret Nelson, his wife, a pastrycook.

He was educated at Mr. Sisson Darling's academy, and later was, with his father, attached to the suite of Sir James Nugent of Donore, Westmeath.

Gardiner returned to England with the intention of entering the church, and was admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1797.

[1] Finding that as an Irishman he had no chance there of a fellowship, he moved to Benet College, and took his degree in 1797 as sixth senior optime.

Gardiner went back to London, where he found employment in copying portraits for his former patron Edward Harding.

From his eccentricities of dress, behaviour, and conversation, he became a well-known figure at sales, and his shop was often visited by people out of curiosity.