Samuel John Stump (1783-1863), was known by his contemporaries as 'American' Stump for the simple reason that he had been born in America. He studied at the Royal Academy and exhibited extensively there from 1802-1845. He painted in oils and watercolour and painted a wide variety of subjects, but came to specialise in portrait miniatures, particularly of the theatrical profession. Stump painted many famous people including Mary Shelley and the great actress, Sarah Siddons, but sadly we do not know the identity of our sitter. His work appears in the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.