Collyer, the younger, was born in
London, the son of
Joseph Collyer (d. 1776), editor and translator, and
Mary Collyer (née Mitchell, d. 1763), translator and novelist. He studied for a short time under the engraver
Anthony Walker, and applied himself to book illustrations with success. He attracted the notice of
John Boydell and was employed to make an engraving after
David Teniers. In 1761 he was awarded a premium from the
Society of Arts; about nine years later he entered the
Royal Academy, where he exhibited for the first time in 1770. He was admitted as a student in 1771. and "Una", as chalk engravings (a type of
stipple engraving). He engraved some large plates including, 'The Volunteers of Ireland' after
Francis Wheatley, published in 1784. In 1786 he was elected an associate engraver of the Royal Academy, and appointed portrait engraver to Queen Charlotte. In 1815 he was master of the
Stationers' Company.
William Whitehead (1787); Paul Whitehead (1776); and Sir
William Young. Collyer also engraved the illustrations to Hervey's '
Naval History,' besides several plates after
Rooker. He last exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1822, and died on 24 December 1827. Engraver
James Heath was one of his apprentices. ==References==