A young Girl in white dress with lace edge and cuffs, pink sash, and blonde ringletted hair, wearing a coral necklace and holding a brown and white dog

Though born in Bath, England, Thomas Seir Cummings (1804-1894) came to the United States early in his childhood. Cummings' father established an artists' supply store in New York City, and Cummings soon began to take art classes at the American Academy of Fine Arts and, in 1821, with well-known American artist Henry Inman. Cummings was assisted in founding the National Academy of Design, of which he was a member and active officer throughout his career. Cummings remained in New York City, initially in business with Henry Inman, and subsequently on his own until he retired in 1866. He died in Hackensack, New Jersey. (G and W, p. 158; and Johnson, p. 100.)