Virtually all knowledge about the life and career of George W. Twibill is based on the brief biography devoted to him in William Dunlap's History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts of Design in the United States. During his early adulthood Twibill moved to New York and, initially, received instruction in drawing and painting from William D. Parisen. He soon, however, became disillusioned with his instructor and in June 1828 began working in the studio of Henry Inman (q.v.). After learning the fundamental principles of portraiture he embarked upon his own career in 1832. He quickly established a sound reputation for his cabinet portraits and married Inman's sister-in-law. His untimely death occurred just as his career was reaching its acme.
