Charles Catton the younger

Charles Catton the younger (30 December 1756 – 24 April 1819) was an English topographical artist, illustrator and theatrical scene-painter.

Catton, was born in London, the son of Charles Catton the elder. He received art tuition from his father and also studied at the Royal Academy schools. He travelled extensively through England and Scotland, making sketches, some of which were afterwards engraved and published. He was known as a scene-painter for the theatre, and also as a topographical artist.

In 1775, at the Royal Academy, he exhibited a View of London from Blackfriars Bridge, and one of Westminster from Westminster Bridge. In 1793, he showed designs, along with fellow artist E A Burney, for John Gay's Fables, which were subsequently published, as were a number of drawings of animals taken from nature and engraved by himself, in 1788. At the Royal Academy from 1776 to 1800 he exhibited 37 works in total. In the latter, he was recorded as living in Purley. From 1781 to 1794, he was a scene painter at Covent Garden.

In 1804, he emigrated to America and settled in a farm on the River Hudson with his two daughters and a son. There he lived until his death, painting occasionally. He is said to have "acquired wealth"' through his painting. He was also a slave owner. In 1815, he murdered his slave, Robert, who was engaged in a relationship with Sojourner Truth, herself at the time enslaved on a neighboring farm. Robert was severely beaten by Catton and his son and died of these injuries. Catton died on 24 April 1819.