Henry Dawson was a painter and engraver who specialised in marine and coastal subjects. He was born in Hull and lived in Liverpool, where he exhibited at the British Institution, Suffolk Street, the Portland Gallery and the Royal Academy. He is also recorded as living in Salcombe and many of his subjects are taken from the coast of South Devon.
His work is held in the collections of York Museum Trust, University of London, and the town halls of Leicester and Richmond. His son was the painter and etcher, Alfred Dawson (1855-1899) and his grandson the famous marine artist Montague Dawson (1895 - 1973).