William Thornley was a painter of coastal scenes whose work is very similar to Hubert and Charles Thornley who were probably members of the same family. He painted scenes of genre, architecture and landscapes as well. A number of the landscapes were of Belgium, Holland, Italy and Norway. However, it is for his seascapes that he is best remembered.

Thornley’s works are beautifully detailed and show a masterful understanding of the moods of both weather and sea. They are often small in size and painted with fine detail and great artistic merit. Thornley’s fishing scenes are spirited and similar in style to those of “Jock” Wilson, and are often painted in pairs. 



He was believed to have first exhibited marines at the Royal Academy in 1859 from an address in Paddington, London and also at the British Institution from 1861 until it closed in 1867. He continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy until 1898.