George Romney, December 26, 1734–November 15, 1802, was an English painter best known for portraits. Born at Beckside near Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, he was apprenticed to the portrait painter Christopher Steele in Kendal before moving to London in 1762.

Romney won early recognition from the Society of Arts and studied in Italy from 1773 to 1775. After returning to London, he became one of the leading portraitists of his generation; Emma Hart, later Lady Hamilton, was his most celebrated model.

Although he was a contemporary and rival of Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, Romney never joined the Royal Academy. Ill health led him back to Kendal in 1799, where his wife Mary cared for him until his death in 1802.