Thomas Peploe Wood (1817-1845) was a talented and prolific artist. Little known outside Staffordshire, his work is a valuable record of the County’s history and landscape. He spent most of his short life sketching and painting in Staffordshire, taking particular pleasure in working on Cannock Chase. He was well known for his paintings of landscapes and animals.

Born in Great Haywood, near Stafford, Thomas was the son of Joseph and Alethea Wood and one of six brothers. His father was a shoemaker and kept the toll-gate on the main North Road in Great Haywood. Joseph and Althea had six sons and one daughter.

Thomas was self taught from an early age, collecting and copying engravings. He sometimes sold his own work to travellers on the main coach road from London to Liverpool, using the money to buy prints of Old Masters. His eldest brother, John, who was a house-painter and colourist, taught him how to grind and mix colours and he worked in a range of mediums, including pencil, pen & ink, pen & wash, sepia, watercolour and oils. Click here to read more and download T.P. Wood Timeline

T. P. Wood’s work continues to be available to view at the William Salt Library and, by appointment, at the Shire Hall Gallery, both in Stafford. They are also available on the Gateway to the Past web site.

This website was published to coincide with an exhibition held at the Shire Hall Gallery, www.staffordshire.gov.uk/shirehallgallery from 14 March to 10 May, 2009, featuring Wood’s oil paintings, watercolours and drawings.

A book of illustrations by Thomas Peploe Wood, with information about the artist and his connection with the banker and antiquary William Salt (1808-1863) written by local historian Randle Knight can be purchased from Staffordshire Museum Service for £7.00. As we are currently unable to process online payments, please email to reserve a copy.