Valentine Green was one of the foremost engravers of his day. Born in Salford, Near Chipping Norton he forsook the study of Law to become an engraver, moving to London in 1766 where he turned his attention to engraving in mezzotint with great success. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, was appointed mezzotint engraver to the King, and became Keeper of the British Institution on its foundation in 1805.