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John Somers, Baron Somers

(1651-1716), Lord Chancellor

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 38 portraits
Somers was called to the Bar in 1676, and he combined his work as a barrister with involvement with Whig politics. He was at the centre of the Whig party in the twenty-five years following the revolution of 1688. Entering Parliament as an MP in 1689, Somers was made first Solicitor General and then Attorney General; he became William III's most confidential adviser. He served in a number of other senior government offices including Lord Keeper, Lord Chancellor and Lord President to the Council. Somers' legal abilities, constitutional achievements and his belief in religious toleration was extravagantly praised by Whig historians throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

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John Somers, Baron Somers, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3223

John Somers, Baron Somers

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1715-1716
On display in Room 8 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3223

The Bishops' Council, by and published by Robert White - NPG D43262

The Bishops' Council

by and published by Robert White
line engraving, 1688
NPG D43262

The Bishops' Council, possibly published by John Smith, after  Unknown artist - NPG D11943

The Bishops' Council

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D11943

John Somers, Baron Somers, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D18165

John Somers, Baron Somers

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1711
NPG D18165

John Somers, Baron Somers, by and sold by John Smith, after  Jonathan Richardson - NPG D9184

John Somers, Baron Somers

by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D9184

John Somers, Baron Somers, by and sold by John Smith, after  Jonathan Richardson - NPG D31100

John Somers, Baron Somers

by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D31100

John Somers, Baron Somers, by and sold by John Smith, after  Jonathan Richardson - NPG D31101

John Somers, Baron Somers

by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D31101

John Somers, Baron Somers, by and sold by John Smith, after  Jonathan Richardson - NPG D11572

John Somers, Baron Somers

by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D11572

John Somers, Baron Somers, by and sold by John Smith, after  Jonathan Richardson - NPG D41808

John Somers, Baron Somers

by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D41808

John Somers, Baron Somers, by John Simon, sold by  Edward Cooper, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D4259

John Somers, Baron Somers

by John Simon, sold by Edward Cooper, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1715-1716)
NPG D4259

John Somers, Baron Somers, by John Faber Jr, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D33118

John Somers, Baron Somers

by John Faber Jr, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1733 (before 1711)
NPG D33118

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