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Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

(1784-1865), Prime Minister

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 146 portraits
Politician who served twice as Prime Minister. He was in government office almost continuously from 1807 until his death in 1865, beginning his parliamentary career as a Tory and concluding it as a Liberal. He served successively as: Secretary at War (1809-28); Foreign Secretary (1830-41 and 1846-51); Home Secretary (1853-5) and Prime Minister (1855-8 and 1859-65). He is best remembered for his direction of British foreign policy through a period when the United Kingdom was at the height of its colonial power. His vigorous policy of intervention, often controversial at the time, made him one of the greatest Victorian statesman and among the most powerful figures in European politics.

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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

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, by Francis Cruikshank - NPG 3953

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

by Francis Cruikshank
oil on canvas, circa 1855-1859
On display in Room 23 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3953

'The Secret of England's Greatness' (Queen Victoria presenting a Bible in the Audience Chamber at Windsor), by Thomas Jones Barker - NPG 4969

'The Secret of England's Greatness' (Queen Victoria presenting a Bible in the Audience Chamber at Windsor)

by Thomas Jones Barker
oil on canvas, circa 1862-1863
On display in Room 23 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4969

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