From Somerset to the Fairs of England
Sarah Biffin was born on 25 October 1784 in East Quantoxhead, Somerset, with phocomelia, leaving her without arms and with undeveloped legs.
Despite this, she taught herself to read and later learned to write using her mouth. At age 13, her family apprenticed her to Emmanuel Dukes, who exhibited her as “The Eighth Wonder” at fairs across England, where she amazed audiences by painting, sewing, and writing using a brush or needle held in her mouth.
Discovery and Rise to Recognition
In 1808, at St. Bartholomew’s Fair, Biffin caught the attention of George Douglas, the Earl of Morton, who tested her skills personally to confirm her talent.
Convinced, he sponsored her formal training under Royal Academy artist William Craig. Her skill in miniature portraiture quickly gained attention, earning her commissions from members of the Royal Family, including George IV, William IV, and Queen Victoria.
Success, Struggles, and Independence
Biffin opened a studio on the Strand in London and, in 1821, won a medal from the Society of Arts for a historical miniature. However, after her marriage to William Stephen Wright in 1824 ended in separation and the Earl of Morton’s death in 1827, she faced financial difficulties.
Returning to painting under the name “Mrs. E. M. Wright,” she continued exhibiting at the Royal Academy and later received a £12 annual pension from Queen Victoria.
Final Years and Lasting Impact
In 1841, Biffin moved to Liverpool, established a studio, and resumed signing her works as “Miss Biffin.” Her supporters, including Richard Rathbone and Jenny Lind, arranged a public subscription in 1847 to secure her comfort. Sarah Biffin died on 2 October 1850, aged 66.
Today, her works are held by institutions such as the Museum of Somerset, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Wellcome Collection, with her artistry continuing to be celebrated worldwide.
Born in 1784 in Somerset with phocomelia, Sarah Biffin had no arms and only vestigial legs.
She learned to read and to write and paint with her mouth.
From fairs to palaces, her miniature portraits won medals and royal commissions…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Df7li9RJSW
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) August 30, 2025