Wells was born in London on 14 December 1828, the only son of Henry Tanworth Wells (senior), a merchant, and his wife Charlotte Henman. He was baptised in
St Pancras Old Church. He was educated at
Lancing College,
Sussex. He arranged to be introduced to Boyce in 1851, and asked her to marry him in 1855. She refused, saying she wanted to be free to "carry on her life's work". He pursued her, and they were engaged, but after her father's death, her mother persuaded her to change her mind, and Joanna gave the engagement ring back. Wells still did not give up, and despite social disapproval they continued to write to each other. They married on 9 December 1857. They had two daughters, Alice Joanna Street and Joanna Margaret Hadley. Wells was elected as a member of the Royal Academy on 30 June 1870. Wells's works can be found in the major art collections of England, including the British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Gallery, Royal Academy, Royal Collection, Government Art Collection, National Trust Collections, and Royal Albert Memorial Museum. ==Gallery==