Thomas Weaver was born in 1774. He was a Shropshire artist who mainly painted portraits of livestock for their breeders. He was given some instruction in painting by John Boultbee, whose work, in turn, was somewhat influenced by Stubbs.

By 1800, Weaver had a thriving practice as a livestock painter. He began working for William Coke of Norfolk, and many of the leading agricultural reformers.