R. Crosbie Dawson, Esq.
(1799-1880)
10 December 1861

Volume 5, page 272, sitting number 6584.

[The sitter is identified as ‘R. Crosbie Dawson, Esq.’ in the Silvy daybooks.]

Born in Liverpool on 7 January 1799, Richard Crosbie Dawson was the son of Richard Dawson, a merchant, and his wife Elizabeth née Crosbie. He was baptised at St Thomas’s, Liverpool, on 16 January 1799. 

On 10 April 1828 in Liverpool he married Annie Pritt. 

The family appear on the 1851 census living at 7 Queen’s Square, Westminster (this was just off Birdcage Walk beside St James’s Park). Richard gave as his profession ‘Secretary of Directors of Convict Prisons / Civil Servant.’

His wife Annie died at 7 Queen’s Square on 8 February 1858. 

In 1861 the family were still at the same address. Richard gave his profession as ‘Secretary to Directors of Convict Prisons / Home Office.’ The household included a housekeeper, a cook and one housemaid. 

The last census he appears on is the one taken in 1871, at which time he described himself as ‘late Secretary' etc.

Richard Crosbie Dawson died, aged 81, on 9 June 1880. He was buried in Brompton Cemetery. 

‘On the 1st inst., at 17 Queen Anne’s Gate, Westminster, Richard Crosbie Dawson, in his 82nd year’ (York House Papers, 9 June 1880).

He left an estate valued at £25,000. His will was proved by his daughter Annie Mary Dawson and his son George James Crosbie Dawson, a civil engineer.