George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
(1592-1628), Courtier; favourite of James ISitter associated with 49 portraits
Handsome and ambitious, Villiers was the most notorious of James I's favourites. From humble beginnings as cupbearer in the royal household, he rose with astonishing speed through the ranks of the aristocracy, becoming Duke of Buckingham in 1623. As one of the king's leading ministers, some of his administration was effective, but he was widely regarded as corrupt and extravagant. Villiers exercised great influence over both James I and his son Charles I, though was generally regarded with suspicion and dislike by the rest of the court, and as Lord High Admiral was blamed for a number of military failures. He was murdered by John Felton, a discharged officer of the navy in 1628.
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by studio of William Larkin
oil on canvas, circa 1616
On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3840
Unknown man, formerly known as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
attributed to Cornelius De Neve
oil on canvas, 1627
NPG 1346
The Duke of Buckingham and his Family
after Gerrit van Honthorst
oil on canvas, circa 1628, based on a work of 1628
NPG 711
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25779
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D25780
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D16667
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Marshall, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1621-1628
NPG D1129
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Marshall, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1621-1628
NPG D1166
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D33052
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D33055
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D33056
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, (circa 1625)
NPG D18724
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Willem Jacobsz Delff, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
engraving, published 1626
NPG D19862
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
sold by Benjamin Cole
line engraving, circa 1628
NPG D5812
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by A.P., after D.F.
line engraving, after 1628
NPG D16666
George Villiers and Robert Devereux
after Unknown artist
woodcut, 1641
NPG D26511
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Faithorne, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, circa 1650s
NPG D22656
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
published by Balthasar Moncornet
line engraving, 1657
NPG D26517
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1657
NPG D16664
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1657
NPG D16665
Related People
- Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey (brother)
- Katherine Villiers (née Manners, later MacDonnell), Duchess of Buckingham (wife)
- George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (son)
- John Villiers, Viscount Purbeck (brother)
- Mary Villiers, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox (daughter)
- Lord Francis Villiers (son)
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