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Frederick Arthur Verner was born on February 26, 1836, in Hammondsville (now Sheridan), Ontario, part of Upper Canada. From a young age, he was captivated by Paul Kane's paintings and sought mentorship from him, although unsuccessfully. In 1856, Verner traveled to London, studying at Heatherley School of Fine Art and the British Museum until 1858. Following his studies, he joined the British Army, serving in the 3rd West Yorkshire regiment and the British Legion under Garibaldi in Italy.

Verner returned to Toronto in 1862, where he initially worked as a photograph colourist before starting his own photography business. Inspired by Paul Kane, he began painting scenes of the Canadian West, often based on sketches. In 1873, he accompanied Lieutenant-Governor Alexander Morris to the signing of Treaty Three at Lake of the Woods, creating sketches that formed the basis of many future paintings.

Verner's paintings, like Kane's, often depicted First Nations people and buffalo. His works were praised for their romantic portrayal of Native American life and the Canadian wilderness. Notably, his buffalo paintings were highly regarded, with The Globe in 1906 stating that he was unrivaled in this genre. Verner's art conveyed a tranquil and majestic vision of the Canadian West, contrasting with the more dramatic interpretations by American artists.

In 1880, Verner relocated permanently to London but continued to visit Canada for inspiration. He exhibited widely, including shows in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, Buffalo, St. Louis, and London. Verner was a founding member of the Ontario Society of Artists in 1872 and an Associate Member of the Royal Canadian Academy in 1893. He won a gold medal at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901 and became the first Canadian member of the Royal British Colonial Society of Artists in 1905.

Verner's work is held in numerous prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. His art remains celebrated for its serene depiction of the Canadian landscape and Indigenous cultures.

Frederick Arthur Verner married Mary Chilcott in 1882 and had notable relatives, including Canadian magician Dai Vernon. Verner passed away on May 16, 1928, in London, England, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering painter of the Canadian West.