Sir John Hawkins
(1532-1595), Merchant and naval commanderSitter in 5 portraits
Sir John Hawkins was a merchant, sea captain, ship owner and one of the first English people involved in the Transatlantic slave trade. After running private ships in the Anglo-French war of 1557-8, Hawkins had made several voyages to the Canary Islands where he heard about the possibilities of trading slaves from the west coast of Africa. On his first voyage, he took 300 enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to sell in Spain’s Caribbean colonies. Further attempts raised large profits; such sizable returns resulted in Queen Elizabeth I providing financial backing for his subsequent voyages. Hawkins served as Rear-Admiral of the fleet raised against the Spanish Armada; he died off the coast of Puerto Rico whilst on expedition with his cousin Sir Francis Drake.
by Magdalena de Passe, or by Willem de Passe
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D3236
by Magdalena de Passe, by Willem de Passe
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D5922
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably mid 18th century
NPG D25417
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D25416
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