Robert Clayton (engraver)

Clayton first worked as an assistant to his father.^[3]

Later working with his brother Benjamin, Clayton contributed to the Dublin Penny Journal in 1834 and 1835. Also in 1835, he engraved a series of 13 "Views of Dublin and Kingstown Railway" after Andrew Nicholl. Clayton was a drawing teacher, and worked as a polisher of cut glass decanters. Walter G. Strickland describes Clayton as "idle and a ne'er-do-well"^[2] who appears to have been convicted of "forgery and uttering stamps" with his son, Thomas, in February 1834.^[3]

Clayton and his son travelled to New South Wales as free settlers, as they cooperated with the authorities, but were not permitted to leave the colony.^[3] They travelled on the Royal Admiral 3.^[4] Primarily, Clayton is thought to have worked with his brother, Samuel, who was also in Australia.^[2] Clayton has a number of identified plates in the 1838 Picture of Sydney by James Maclehose.^[3]

The first postage stamp issued in New South Wales, the 1p red stamp, from 1849 has been attributed to Clayton.^[5][6] His date of death is unknown.^[4]

• Smith, Margaret (2017) Samuel Clayton: Forger, Freemason, Freeman, Anchor Books.