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Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt

(1770-1844), Parliamentary reformer

Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 135 portraits
An aristocrat and an independent MP, Burdett entered Parliament in 1796 to become the most influential radical politician. He championed free speech, personal liberty and radical state prisoners. In 1807, with the help of labour activist Francis Place, Burdett successfully stood for Westminster - a hotbed of radicalism. He was arrested and imprisoned for denouncing the House of Common's decision to bar journalists from some debates. Burdett became a national celebrity as 'Burdett and Liberty' riots exploded onto London's streets, marking a shift of popular sympathy towards electoral reform.

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The House of Commons, 1833, by Sir George Hayter - NPG 54

The House of Commons, 1833

by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1833-1843
On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 54

Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt, by Sir Martin Archer Shee - NPG 432

Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt

by Sir Martin Archer Shee
oil on canvas, 1843
On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 432

Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt ('Messager d'Etat'), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12647

Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt ('Messager d'Etat')

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured aquatint, published 21 May 1798
NPG D12647

'The explanation', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12651

'The explanation'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 30 May 1798
NPG D12651

'Pigs meat; - or - the swine flogg'd out of the farm yard', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12654

'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 - NPG D12659

'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

'Doublûres of characters; - or - striking resemblances in phisiognomy', by James Gillray, published by  John Wright - NPG D12663

'Doublûres of characters; - or - striking resemblances in phisiognomy'

by James Gillray, published by John Wright
hand-coloured aquatint and soft-ground etching, published 1 November 1798
NPG D12663

'Stealing off; - or - prudent secession', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12665

'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 - NPG D12672

'Meeting of the monied interest'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 13 December 1798
NPG D12672

'Citizens visiting the Bastille' (John Courtenay; Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12676

'Citizens visiting the Bastille' (John Courtenay; Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 January 1799
NPG D12676

'Exhibition of a democratic-transparency, - with its effect upon patriotic feelings', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13096

'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

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