“ After 1796, however, he mainly confined himself to portrait-painting. It was not long before he became the chosen painter of men of genius and talent, notwithstanding the rivalry of Hoppner, Owen, Jackson and Lawrence; and he left behind portraits of nearly all the illustrious characters of his day. In 1804 he was elected associate and in 1808 member of the Royal Academy. In 1824 Phillips succeeded Fuseli as professor of painting to the Royal Academy, an office which he held till 1832. ”