Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
(1750-1823), Lord ChancellorRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 69 portraits
Erskine was a lawyer and Whig politician who rose to prominence defending political radicals during the 1790s. He was Lord Chancellor in Grenville's coalition 'Ministry of All the Talents'. Erskine stood for free speech and a free press and is remembered primarily as one of the great advocates in English legal history. He rose to prominence defending political radicals in the 1790s, winning a notable victory against the State during the infamous Treason Trials of 1794. His best known client was Thomas Paine whom he defended unsuccessfully against a charge of seditious libel after the publication of his Rights of Man (1791). Erskine's last notable case was his defence of Queen Caroline at her divorce 'trial' in 1820.
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine ('L'Avocat de la Republique')
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured aquatint, published 21 May 1798
NPG D12642
'Pigs meat; - or - the swine flogg'd out of the farm yard'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 22 June 1798
NPG D12654
'Nelson's Victory; - or - good-news operating upon loyal-feelings'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 3 October 1798
NPG D12659
'Stealing off; - or - prudent secession'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 6 November 1798
NPG D12665
'Meeting of the monied interest'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 13 December 1798
NPG D12672
'Evidence to character; - being a portrait of a traitor, by his friends & by himself'
by James Gillray, published by John Wright
hand-coloured etching, published 1 October 1798
NPG D12674
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine ('Councellor Ego - i.e. little I, myself I')
by James Gillray, published by John Wright
hand-coloured etching, published 1 October 1798
NPG D12972
by James Gillray, published by John Wright
etching, published 1 August 1798
NPG D13093
by James Gillray, published by John Wright
hand-coloured etching, published 1 August 1798
NPG D13094
by Thomas Rowlandson, published by James Whittle
hand-coloured etching, published 1 February 1799
NPG D12677
'Exhibition of a democratic-transparency, - with its effect upon patriotic feelings'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 15 April 1799
NPG D13096
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
after Unknown artist
coloured etching, early 19th century
NPG D9304
'The worn-out patriot; - or - the last dying speech of the Westminster representative'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 13 October 1800
NPG D12742
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 21 January 1801
NPG D12754
'Political dreamings! - Visions of peace! - Perspective horrors!'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 9 November 1801
NPG D12769
'Introduction of Citizen Volpone and his suite, at Paris'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 15 November 1802
NPG D12794
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
by George Clint, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1803
NPG D1861
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
by George Clint, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1803
NPG D1862
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
by George Clint, published by John Peter Thompson, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 4 June 1804
NPG D36198
'The state waggoner, and John Bull - or - the waggon too much for the donkeys!'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 14 March 1804
NPG D12829
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