William Roscoe
(1753-1831), Banker, historian and collectorRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 6 portraits
Historian, poet, art collector, lawyer, politician and philanthropist, rose from humble beginnings in Liverpool to become one of the city's outstanding figures. He played an important role in developing the cultural life of the city. Roscoe was called to the Bar in 1774. He entered Parliament in 1806 where he fought against the slave trade. In 1795 he published his first historical work, The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici (1795), which made his reputation as a historian. His other major work, The Life of Pope Leo X (1805), proved controversial, but was again a best seller. His 1806 poem, The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast, has become a children's classic.
attributed to John Williamson
oil on canvas, circa 1784
NPG 963
attributed to William Spence
marble bust, circa 1820
NPG 4147
by Mary Dawson Turner (née Palgrave), after a marble relief by John Gibson
etching, (1813)
NPG D5839
by Maxim Gauci, printed by Francis Moser, published by Colnaghi & Co, after a marble relief by John Gibson
lithograph, published 15 December 1819 (1813)
NPG D39869
after Daniel Maclise
pen and ink, (published 1832)
NPG D34547
by Allen & Moore
white metal medal, 1853
NPG D7049
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