The Resume

(June 6, 1756-November 10, 1843)
Born in Lebanon, Connecticut
Served during the American Revolution as an aide to Generals George Washington (1775-76) and Horatio Gates (1776-77)
Known for his historical paintings, including 'The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill,' 'The Declaration of Independence,' 'George Washington Before the Battle of Trenton,' 'The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga,' 'The Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown' and 'Washington Resigning His Commission'

Why he might be annoying:

He resigned his commission as a colonel in the Continental Army in a dispute over his seniority (1777).
When he was president of the American Academy of the Fine Arts (1816-25), his repeated clashes with the students prompted many of them to bolt and create the rival National Academy of Design.
Although his painting 'The Declaration of Independence' is a standard textbook illustration, it is not historically accurate. (Most notably, the 42 men depicted were never all together in the same room at the same time.)

Why he might not be annoying:

He lost most of the vision in one eye as a child in a fall down a flight of stairs.
During the Continental Army's seige of Boston, he snaked through high grass to sketch British defenses.
Life-size versions of four of his paintings -- 'The Declaration of Independence,' The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga,' 'The Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown' and 'Washington Resigning His Commission' -- were commissioned for the rotunda of the US Capitol (1817).
One of his portraits of Alexander Hamilton was used for the $10 bill and his 'Declaration of Independence' was used as the reverse of the $2 bill.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 18th Century Painters
• 19th Century Painters
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 43]
• I am a Colonel
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [R-T]
• I Attended Harvard
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• National Statuary Hall Collection at the US Capitol (Ranked: 7)
• Painters
• People with John or Mary in their Names
• Profiles 33001-33250 (Ranked: 33111)
• Served in the American Revolution [1775-89]

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 190 Votes: 49.47% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 78 Votes: 71.79% Annoying