Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
(1637-1685), Lord ChancellorSitter in 15 portraits
Trained in the law, Francis North was called to the Bar in 1661, and, at just thirty-four, became Solicitor General. He was elected as an MP and was made Attorney General in 1673. His rapid rise continued and two years later North was made Chief Justice of Common Pleas, a post that required he leave the Commons. In 1682, King Charles II named North Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, thus putting him in charge of the chancery, its court and the passing of all royal charters and commissions. He was ennobled the following year. North was against the pro-Catholic stance taken by the new king, James II, and it was likely that he would have been removed from office, but he died before this could happen.
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by David Loggan
line engraving, feigned oval
NPG 632
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
attributed to John Riley
oil on canvas, circa 1682
NPG 4708
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by David Loggan
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D29859
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D29862
King Charles II; William Sancroft; Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
after William Faithorne
line engraving, circa 1683-1685
NPG D22691
King Charles II; William Sancroft; Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
after William Faithorne
line engraving, circa 1683-1685
NPG D22692
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by George Vertue, after David Loggan
line engraving, 1742
NPG D35004
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by George Vertue, after David Loggan
line engraving, 1742
NPG D36708
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by George Vertue, after David Loggan
line engraving, 1742
NPG D20007
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
after David Loggan
stipple engraving, published 1798
NPG D29860
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by E. Bocquet, published by John Scott, after David Loggan
stipple engraving, published 20 May 1806
NPG D29861
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by John Samuel Agar, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after William Hilton, after John Riley
stipple and line engraving, published 2 February 1818 (circa 1682)
NPG D35002
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by John Samuel Agar, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after William Hilton, after John Riley
stipple and line engraving, published 2 February 1818 (circa 1682)
NPG D35003
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by John Samuel Agar, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, and published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after William Hilton, after John Riley
stipple and line engraving, published 2 February 1818 (circa 1682)
NPG D14365
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
by W.T. Mote, after John Riley
stipple engraving, published 1829
NPG D29863
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