Robert F. Weir (1836–1905) earned his living in the various careers of seaman, naval officer, engineer, and freelance artist. His sailing career spanned the better part of a decade, first on whaling cruises and later as a junior engineering officer on the USS Richmond during the Civil War. After the war, he continued to supply freelance illustrations to Harper’s Weekly, a practice he began while serving in the Navy, and worked as a civil engineer in New Jersey.
Robert F. Weir
