William Southwell was born in Liverpool about 1804, as is evidenced from census returns. His occupation is given as 'piano fte m' in 1841, 'pianoforte maker' in 1851 and 'proprietor of houses' in 1861. In 1871 he is recorded as having 'no occupation', by which time of course he was well over retirement age.

He married Elizabeth Cuming on 26 August 1822 at St Marylebone Church in London, and they stayed together for over 50 years, William dying on 4 July 1880 at St John's Wood, London.

They had ten children, three boys and seven girls. The boys, William Henry (born 1823), Frederick (born 1833) and Edwin (born 1840) formed the photographic firm known as the Southwell Brothers, and who constitute the subject of this website. More about the business they ran can be found in the Business section of this site.

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