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William Makepeace Thackeray

(1811-1863), Novelist

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 42 portraits
Artist of 2 portraits
A novelist known for his satirical works, Thackeray studied law and art before taking up writing professionally as a journalist for a variety of publications, including Fraser's Magazine and Punch. His feature, Jeames' Diary, for Punch attracted much attention with its focus on the theme of English snobbery. He achieved more widespread success with Vanity Fair (1847-8), which told the story of social climber Becky Sharp and satirised London's nouveau riche and upper class society. Pendennis (1848-50) and The Newcomes (1855) confirmed his status as a major novelist. Following his unexpected death at the age of fifty-two, an estimated 7,000 people attended his funeral.

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William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG Ax46259

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax46259

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG Ax9907

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax9907

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG Ax9908

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax9908

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Charlet & Jacotin - NPG x46624

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Charlet & Jacotin
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x46624

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Cundall, Downes & Co - NPG Ax30391

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Cundall, Downes & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax30391

William Makepeace Thackeray, by and after Ernest Edwards - NPG Ax17819

William Makepeace Thackeray

by and after Ernest Edwards
albumen carte-de-visite, (circa 1863)
NPG Ax17819

William Makepeace Thackeray, by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company, after  Ernest Edwards - NPG Ax18323

William Makepeace Thackeray

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company, after Ernest Edwards
albumen carte-de-visite, (circa 1863)
NPG Ax18323

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Ernest Edwards - NPG Ax11941

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Ernest Edwards
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG Ax11941

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Ernest Edwards, published by  Lovell Reeve & Co - NPG Ax13823

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Ernest Edwards, published by Lovell Reeve & Co
albumen print, published 1863
NPG Ax13823

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Barraud & Jerrard, after  Ernest Edwards - NPG Ax28572

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Barraud & Jerrard, after Ernest Edwards
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s (circa 1863)
NPG Ax28572

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Ernest Edwards - NPG x197171

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Ernest Edwards
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x197171

Authors and Novelists, published by Hughes & Edmonds - NPG Ax132899

Authors and Novelists

published by Hughes & Edmonds
albumen print, published 1876
NPG Ax132899

William Makepeace Thackeray, by H.W. Smith - NPG D15875

William Makepeace Thackeray

by H.W. Smith
line and stipple engraving, circa 1850
NPG D15875

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Francis Holl, after  Samuel Laurence - NPG D19422

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Francis Holl, after Samuel Laurence
stipple engraving, published 1853
NPG D19422

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