The Chapel at Haddon Hall

About Samuel Rayner

Samuel Rayner was born in 1806 at Colnbrook in Buckinghamshire. During his youth Rayner moved with his family to Marylebone in London where he is thought to have received some early artistic training from his grandfather.  At just aged fifteen Rayner had a picture of Malmesbury Abbey accepted by the Royal Academy, he was at the time training to be a draughtsman. Rayner became best known for his paintings of churches, abbeys and building interiors. By 1832 Rayner was living in Matlock Bath and had married the already established artist, Anne Manser. The two had six children together, many of whom became artists themselves, including well renowned watercolourist Louise Rayner.