Born Whitechapel, London 25 April 1758, 'son' of a German surgeon. His mother was a German attendant of lady-in-waiting at the palace, and it was rumoured that he was the natural son of George III. As the boy grew older, he was brought up in the palace to be a chorister in the Chapel Royal. Walton, the King's librarian, was given charge of Hoppner's education, and the King visited the library constantly to note his progress. George III made him a small allowance to enable him to become a painter. Entered RA Schools 6 March 1775, (the same day as Gainsborough Dupont). Won Silver Medal for drawing from life 1778, Gold Medal 1782. Became a friend of Gainsborough. Exhibited at RA (168) 1780-1809. Elected ARA `793, RA 1795. On 8 July 1782 he married Pheobe Wright, daughter of Patience Wright, an American modeller in wax and ardent patriot in the American cause. She is credited with having acted as a spy in London for the benefit of Benjamin Franklin, then the American Ambassador in Paris. He consequently lost the patronage of George III, under pressure from Benjamin West, although he managed to retain the patronage of Queen Charlotte at Windsor. He enjoyed a highly successful portrait practice and his portraits of HRH Princess Sophia, HRH Princess Amelia and HRH Princess Maria (exhibited RA 1785) led to his appointment as 'Portrait Painter to the Prince of Wales' 1789. Influenced by Reynolds and Romney. With Lawrence (seven years his junior) divided the favours of high society. Visited Paris 1802 in the company of Turner and Henry Fuseli. Collaborated with S. Gilpin. Died London 23 January 1810. Buried in St. James's Chapel Cemetery, Hampstead Road, London. His art varies considerably in quality, but the finest examples are outstanding achievements in British protraiture. His colours, like those of Reynolds, were rich, creamy and mellow. His sons, William Lascelles Hoppner (who finished a number of his works after his death), and Richard Belgrave Hoppner were also artists.