Although Samuel S. Osgood's birthplace has been consistently questioned, it is evident that he spent the majority of his youth in Boston. His interest in drawing and painting was evident at an early age, but in 1824 his desire to travel led him to join the merchant marine. By 1828 he had rturned to New England and commenced upon a career as a portraitist. In 1830, after a brief visit to Charleston, SC, Osgood made his initial voyage to Europe but finances forced him to return to Boston within a year. Eventually he established his name as a portraititst and in 1835 he married the poetess Frances S. Locke. Accompanied by his new wife Osgood made a second voyage to Europe.
Upon returning to the United States in 1839 Osgood resided briefly in Boston and Charleston before settling in New York City. Although he continued to work primarily as a portraitist, he expanded his talents to genre painting and frequently exhibited his works at the National Academy's annual exhibitions. Upon the death of his wife in 1851 Osgood again journeyed to Europe. After returning to New York, Osgood's career began to wane and he was increasingly forced to travel in the search of new commissions. In 1860 he resigned his membership in the National Academy for undisclosed reasons. He continued to reside in New York until 1869 and spent the last years of his life in California.
