Mr Sampson was a prolific painter all his life, mainly in watercolour but also in oils.  All close family members have numerous examples.  The pride of his oils, hung at the Royal Academy in 1916, is with his granddaughter Anne, herself a painter.

Sampson’s love for painting grew over his lifetime as he opened an art school in the town in 1895 and often exhibited at the Royal Academy. He later became a president of the Sidmouth and East Devon Sketching Club.

Sadly, few of his paintings are known to have survived. The society is keen to encourage anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of RW Sampson’s artwork to get in touch.

Below are some of his sketches dated 1891.