As we do not have a portrait of John Ross Dix, it makes sense to start with the infamous 'portrait' of Thomas Chatterton, which made it's first appearance in Dix's book, 'The Life of Thomas Chatterton', 1837.  I think it fair to say that Dix's fame (or infamy) rests on this book.

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When you open the cover of the book, the first page you arrive at is the portrait of Chatterton, and what a wonderful discovery it seemed at the time, unfortunately it was very quickly declared a fake.  

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Before the fake portrait in Dix's book, the only other portrait claiming to be of Chatterton, was published in The Monthly Visitor, in 1797. It has no provenance and must be regarded as window dressing for the article that went along with it.  Note the eyes, which have been enlarged to match the anecdote regarding Chatterton's striking eyes.  It is also worth noting the similarities between the two portraits. 

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I cannot imagine Dix writing his Life of Chatterton without plenty of research, so he would certainly know of the 'portrait' in The Monthly Visitor.  Remembering, of course, that he had direct access to  George Weare Braikenridge,  and the fabulous Braikenridge Collection,  :  read more about Mr Braikenridge and his collections.

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Much more to follow, subject to my getting beyond some paywalls. I understand that Prof. Nick Groom has written a piece on John Dix.  Anything Nick does on Chatterton is worth seeking out.

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I note that John Ross Dix wrote a letter to the book and manuscript collector, Sir Thomas Phillipps, who owned two Chatterton letters in his vast collection - suspicions now arise. At various places on the internet Dix is also named as George Spenser Phillips - was he trying to link himself to the wealthy Sir Thomas?   As far as I can see, the main link to Spenser Phillips is the book A Handbook of Newport & Rhode Island, wherein the book is said to be by the author of The Life of Chatterton.  However, he is not named in the book as either Dix or Phillips, but both Dix and Phillips are named as author by booksellers against various copies for sale.

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Apparently Dix's mother was taught by Chatterton's sister?

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Books by John Ross Dix

• The Life of Thomas Chatterton, 1837    :  View

• The Life of Thomas Chatterton, 1852    :  View

• Local Legends and Rambling Rhymes  :  View

 

• Pen and Ink Sketches by a Cosmopolitan 

         to which is added Chatterton, a Romance of Literary Life, 1845  :  View

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• A Handbook of Newport & Rhode Island  :  View

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Note

I have a lot more to add about John Dix -  in due course.