Stephen Fuller Austin initially had little interest in his father Moses Austin's venture to colonize Texas, but after the elder's death it became Stephen's all-consuming life’s work. This portrait handed down through family members is purported to have been made from a life sitting. Austin was serving as secretary of state to the new Republic of Texas when he died at the age of 43 in December 1836. A portrait of Austin familiar to some during the Republic of Texas was the one engraved on the $50 currency note.

Image courtesy of Texas State Library and Archives Commission.