John Trumbull was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, to Gov. Jonathan Trumbull and became a prominent Revolutionary War artist. A Harvard graduate and wartime aide to George Washington, he later studied under Benjamin West in London. He is best known for iconic historical works like the Declaration of Independence, which he undertook at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, and the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, as well as portraits of founding figures like Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. He became acquainted with William Short when communicating with Jefferson regarding his artistic works.
