Scarborough Beach at Sunrise

About William Thornley

William Thornley was a British painter, thought to have been born circa 1830. He was active between the years 1858-1898 and also went by the names of Hubert Thornley or Charles Thornley, William Georges Thornley, as well as the name Thornberry. He painted a number of landscapes in Belgium, Holland, Italy and Norway but was mostly known for his coastal and marine scenes.

He was believed to have first exhibited marines at the Royal Academy in 1859 and also at the British Institution from 1861. He continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy until 1898. He also exhibited works at the Paris Salon and the Salon of French Artists, receiving an honourable mention in 1881 and a third place medal in 1888.