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William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry

(1724-1810), Rake and patron of the turf

Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 12 portraits
Notorious gambler, rake and stud owner. From his youth, Queensberry was famed for his escapades. He was first known on the turf in 1750, the year that the Jockey Club was instituted. By careful purchase and informed breeding he developed an unsurpassed stable, taking unusual care of jockeys and stablemen as well as his horses. A friend of the the Whig M.P. Charles James Fox and the young Prince of Wales, the older Queensberry was one of the elite gang who passed their time, decadently, in drinking and gambling.

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'The comet', by James Sayers, published by  Thomas Cornell - NPG D12251

'The comet'

by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching and aquatint, published 18 February 1789
NPG D12251

'Hyde-Park; - Sunday, - or - both hemispheres of the world in a sweat', by James Gillray, published by  James Aitken - NPG D12405

'Hyde-Park; - Sunday, - or - both hemispheres of the world in a sweat'

by James Gillray, published by James Aitken
hand-coloured etching, published 1 June 1789
NPG D12405

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Quiz-zing a filly'), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12512

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Quiz-zing a filly')

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 26 May 1795
NPG D12512

'Push-pin' (Mrs ('Mother') Windsor?; William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry), by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12609

'Push-pin' (Mrs ('Mother') Windsor?; William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured stipple engraving, published 17 April 1797
NPG D12609

'The Union Club', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12754

'The Union Club'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 21 January 1801
NPG D12754

'Dilettanti-theatricals: - or - a peep at the green room', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13099

'Dilettanti-theatricals: - or - a peep at the green room'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured soft-ground etching, published 18 February 1803
NPG D13099

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Old Q'), possibly by James Gillray, published by  William Holland - NPG D12975

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry ('Old Q')

possibly by James Gillray, published by William Holland
hand-coloured stipple engraving, published January 1811
NPG D12975

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