John Singleton Copley, Baron Lyndhurst (1772-1863), Lord Chancellor and politician; son of the painter John Singleton Copley

Sitter associated with 74 portraits
A barrister, he came to prominence in 1812 with his successful defence of one of the leading Luddites, John Ingham, charged with the capital offences of rioting and destroying machinery. As an MP from 1818 he held many influential positions including Lord Chancellor (three times) and Chief Baron of the Exchequer. He served, unusually, under both Tory and Whig governments but was loyal to the Tory party. It was said of him that his 'path to power was through the wreck of all political consistency'. Thus he argued passionately against Catholic emancipation in 1827, and for it in 1829, while in the Reform Bill debates of 1831-2 he was first against, and later for, reform.