Thomas Buchanan Read: Life & Legacy Thomas Buchanan Read (March 12, 1822 – May 11, 1872) was a prominent American painter and poet. His career spanned a period of significant social and political change in the United States, reflected in his diverse body of work. Early Life & Education Born in Corner Lake (now Ketcheson), Pennsylvania, Read’s early life instilled in him a deep appreciation for both artistic expression and literary p…