Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey

Sitterback to top

• Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 166 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 215 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Shown here with his peer's robes, Grey was a traditional Whig aristocrat who was neither a radical nor republican. He saw reform as a means of preserving a balanced constitution and deflecting revolution in Britain. His moderate politics and clever strategy helped finally quell divisions in the party and secure the Reform Bill's passage.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 137
• Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 200
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 264

Subject/Themeback to top

• On display at the Gallery