Liverpool-born and without a father, Richard Ansdell attended the Bluecoat School: a short education for which he was so grateful, setting up a charitable annuity for the school in his prosperous years.  After school, he trained as a silhouettist, and later he visited Holland, circus sign-writing.

In 1836, he joined Liverpool Academy, becoming President in 1845. He married Maria Romer in 1845; a happy marriage with eleven children.  By 1840 he had exhibited successfully at London’s Royal Academy.

1840 to 1885 saw him exhibiting annually there at and other prestigious venues. He became a well-known sporting and animal artist; successful in his lifetime and known to Queen Victoria.  He also depicted historical scenes such as the “Fight for the Standard: Battle of Waterloo”, which now hangs in the Great Hall, Edinburgh Castle.

In 1847 he reluctantly left Lancashire for “Lytham House”, Kensington, London named after Lytham St. Annes where he had settled with his growing family.  His residence there being “Starr Hills” where there is a commemorative plaque in Ansdell district which was named after him. Many paintings reflect Ansdell’s love of Lytham for example “Rabbiting on Lytham Sand Hills”.