Turner was born at
Black Bourton, Oxfordshire. He was the eldest of three children and had two younger sisters. His father died in 1791, and he was raised during this early part of his life by his mother. In 1803, he went to live with his uncle, also called William Turner. Initially they lived in
Burford but in 1804 moved to the
manor house at
Shipton-on-Cherwell in
Oxfordshire. '', painted c. 1840 by William Turner of Oxford (private collection) Because of his interest in drawing, Turner joined
John Varley in London. From 1833 onwards, he lived at 16
St John Street in central Oxford. William and his wife are buried in Holy Cross parish churchyard at Shipton-on-Cherwell. In 1896, a memorial
chancel screen was installed in the church, with a brass plaque reading "
Erected in memory of William Turner of Oxford, Water Colour Painter and architect of this church." ==References==