William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield

Sitterback to top

• William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (1705-1793), Judge. Sitter in 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

• John Singleton Copley (1737-1815), Painter. Artist associated with 21 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Mansfield was a judge renowned for the quickness and depth of his understanding of complex legal matters and for the strict impartiality of his judical conduct. Perhaps his most famous judgement was in 1772 in the case of James Somersett. Somersett had been brought to England as a slave, had then escaped, but was recaptured and was awaiting shipment to Jamaica. Mansfield's judgement was that slavery was so odious that nothing but positive law could support it. No such law being found to exist, Mansfield concluded there was no legal backing for slavery and that no black people could be removed from England against their wishes. This judgement was a key stage in the process leading to the abolition of slavery. Mansfield is seen here in his Peer's robes.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Curtis, Penelope; Funnell, Peter; Kalinsky, Nicola, Return to Life: A New Look at the Portrait Bust, 2000 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 7 February to 30 May 2001), p. 29
• Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 329
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 409

Subject/Themeback to top

• On display at the Gallery