Biography

Edinburgh-born George Willison was much aided in his career by his wealthy uncle, George Dempster, who sponsored his nephew's training in Edinburgh and, from 1760 to 1767, in Rome. Willison returned to work in London until Dempster, who was Director of the East India Company, secured a post for him at the court of Mohamed Ali Khan Walejah, Nawab of the Carnatic. By the time Willison returned to Edinburgh, he was a wealthy man. Willison was primarily a painter of portraits, although examples of mythological subjects are also known.