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William Cobbett

(1763-1835), Journalist, agriculturalist and politician; MP for Oldham

Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 57 portraits
A political journalist and farmer, Cobbett was one of the most influential radicals in the decades before the Reform Act (1832). Initially a Tory supporter, he launched his weekly Political Register (1802-35) with the help of Pitt and Canning. In 1816, the price of the Political Register was drastically reduced to ensure it reached the working classes. In his Rural Rides (1830) Cobbett continued to champion the rural poor. As an advocate of political reform he was frequently controversial though his writing was also nostalgic for a simpler rural past.

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William Cobbett, possibly by George Cooke - NPG 1549

William Cobbett

possibly by George Cooke
oil on canvas, circa 1831
On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1549

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

William Cobbett, after Adam Buck - NPG D13236

William Cobbett

after Adam Buck
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D13236

William Cobbett, by Francesco Bartolozzi, after  John Raphael Smith - NPG D2089

William Cobbett

by Francesco Bartolozzi, after John Raphael Smith
stipple engraving, published 1801
NPG D2089

storming Heaven; - with, the gods alarmed for their everlasting-abodes', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13106

storming Heaven; - with, the gods alarmed for their everlasting-abodes'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, engraving and aquatint, published 1 May 1804
NPG D13106

'Triumphal procession of little-Paul-the taylor upon his new-goose', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12881

'Triumphal procession of little-Paul-the taylor upon his new-goose'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 8 November 1806
NPG D12881

'View of the hustings in Covent Garden', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey, and published by  J. Budd, and published by  Richard Bagshaw - NPG D12883

'View of the hustings in Covent Garden'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey, and published by J. Budd, and published by Richard Bagshaw
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 15 December 1806
NPG D12883

'Posting to the election, - a scene on the road to Brentford, Novr 1806', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13113

'Posting to the election, - a scene on the road to Brentford, Novr 1806'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 1 December 1806
NPG D13113

'Political mathematician's, shaking the Broad Bottom'd hemispheres', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12884

'Political mathematician's, shaking the Broad Bottom'd hemispheres'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and engraving, published 9 January 1807
NPG D12884

'A plumper for Paul! - or - the little taylor done over!', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12886

'A plumper for Paul! - or - the little taylor done over!'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 13 March 1807
NPG D12886

'The loyal address! - or - the procession of the Hampshire-hogs from Botley to St James's', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12913

'The loyal address! - or - the procession of the Hampshire-hogs from Botley to St James's'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 20 October 1808
NPG D12913

'Overthrow of the Republican-Babel', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12921

'Overthrow of the Republican-Babel'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 1 May 1809
NPG D12921

'An old English-gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12922

'An old English-gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 May 1809
NPG D12922

'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 1' (William Cobbett), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12924

'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 1' (William Cobbett)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 29 September 1809
NPG D12924

'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 2' (William Cobbett), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12925

'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 2' (William Cobbett)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 29 September 1809
NPG D12925

'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 3' (William Cobbett), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12926

'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 3' (William Cobbett)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 29 September 1809
NPG D12926

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