William Powell (1735-1769) after being educated at Hereford Grammar School and Christ's Hospital, became apprenticed to the brewer Sir Robert Ladbrooke. Although he showed promise in this career, his real enthusiasm was for amateur theatricals and against Ladbrooke's advice he left the brewery. Through an introduction from the actor Charles Holland, Powell met Garrick, who, recognising his talent, began to coach him for the stage. He made his debut at Drury Lane on 8 October 1763 as 'Philaster' to a rapturous reception. In his first season at the theatre, in the absence of Garrick, who was travelling abroad, he took on several major roles, including Othello, Oroonoko, Hamlet, 'Posthumous' and comedy parts. He had some successes and some failures, but his popularity with audiences ensured that the box office takings went up significantly to Garrick's delight. In the 1764-5 season he added more leading roles to his repertoire, and with the return of Garrick to the theatre in 1765-6, shared them with him. In conjunction with Harris, Rutherford and Colman, Powell bought Rich's patents for Covent Garden, and took lodgings in the house next door. However, the four of them fell out, and bitter quarrels and legal proceedings followed. He played his last role of the season at the theatre on 26 May 1769. He had already played with success at Bristol, at both the Jacob's Well Theatre and the new King Street Theatre, and he returned to the city for another season. He caught a cold while playing cricket, and his illness became serious. Carriages were forbidden to go down the street where he lived to avoid disturbing him and performances were suspended at the theatres. He died on 3 July. Richard III was performed in his honour that night, with Holland apologising for the poor acting by the cast, so overcome were they by Powell's death.

Powell was tall and powerfully built, and although frequently full of imperfections, his appearances on a stage always caused a stir; they had 'a thousand beauties and a thousand faults'.

Another version of this portrait with slight differences, attributed to Zoffany, was sold in these Rooms on 20 June 1975, lot 89 (#1500).