{{Short description|Scottish engraver}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use British English|date=February 2017}} thumb|300px|Photo of part of an engraving after Sir George Harvey P.R.S.A. (1806-1876) by William Howison A.R.S.A. (1798-1850), Curlers, 1838, on chine appliqué, published by A. Hill, Edinburgh, 1838 thumb|300px|The grave of William Howison, Greyfriars Kirkyard
'''William Howison''' or '''Howieson,''' ARSA, (1798 – 20 Dec 1850) was a Scottish engraver in the early 19th century.
==Life==
He was born in Edinburgh and educated at George Heriot's School.<ref>Dictionary of National Biography: William Howison</ref>
He was originally apprenticed to an engraver named Wilson and later worked under William Home Lizars. He did not receive any formal education or instruction in drawing.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofnati28stepuoft/page/n7/mode/2up?q=howison |title=Dictionary of National Biography. |publisher=McMillan and Co. |volume=XXVIII |location=New York |publication-date=1891 |pages=121-122 |editor-last =Lee |editor-first =Sidney}}</ref>
David Octavius Hill introduced him to Sir George Harvey, after which point he reproduced many of Harvey's paintings in engraved form. He gained particular notoriety for his engraving ''The Curlers'' which led to his acceptance into the Royal Scottish Academy, the only engraver admitted.
In the 1830s he is listed as living and working at 227 High Street on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.<ref>{{citation|url=http://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/pageturner.cfm?id=83400675&mode=transcription|title=The Post Office Annual Directory, for 1832-33 | volume = 27 | page = 126 | publisher = The Letter-Carriers of the General Post Office | location = Edinburgh | via = National Library of Scotland | accessdate=25 January 2017}}</ref>
He died on 20 December 1850 at 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh, and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in the centre of Edinburgh with his widow Jane Scott (1801-1871) and children. The grave lies in the northern half of the graveyard, towards the west side, against the sunken vault.
==Works== *The Curlers (1838)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgalleries.org/collection/artists-a-z/h/artist/sir-george-harvey/object/the-curlers-ng-2641|title=The Curlers (1835)|publisher=|accessdate=25 January 2017}}</ref> *The Covenanters' Communion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/1_edin_v/1_engraving_and_engravers_engravers_early.htm|title=Engravings and Engravers - Early Engravers|publisher=|accessdate=25 January 2017}}</ref> *A Schule Skailin *The First Letter from the Emigrants (after Thomas Faed RA)
==References==
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{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Howison, William}} Category:People educated at George Heriot's School Category:19th-century Scottish engravers Category:1798 births Category:1850 deaths Category:Royal Scottish Academicians Category:Artists from Edinburgh Category:Burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard