3 OF 11

James Henry Leigh Hunt

3 of 11 portraits of James Henry Leigh Hunt

by Samuel Laurence
oil on canvas, circa 1837
44 in. x 35 5/8 in. (1118 mm x 905 mm)
Given by the widow of the sitter's great-grandson, Mrs M.E. Leigh Hunt, 1931
Primary Collection
NPG 2508

Click on the links below to find out more:

Sitterback to top

James Henry Leigh Hunt (1784-1859), Poet, essayist and critic. Sitter associated with 11 portraits.

Artistback to top

Samuel Laurence (1812-1884), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 33 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The essayist and poet Leigh Hunt was the editor of a number of literary periodicals, including The Examiner, in which he published the works of Keats and Shelley, then little known. A friend of Byron, Lamb and many important writers, he was an influential figure in literary society. Though unfinished, this portrait of him reading was thought by both the poet's son and grandson to be 'by far the best existing'. Samuel Laurence was a friend of Leigh Hunt's and was married to his cousin.