(London, 1775-c. 1851) British painter. The fighting temeraire was a precocious artist, entering the Royal Academy at the age of 14, becoming an associate member in 1799, aged 24, and later becoming a professor and vice-president was a precocious artist, entering the Royal Academy at the age of 14, becoming an associate member in 1799, aged 24, and later becoming a professor and vice-president