John Somers, Baron Somers

Sitterback to top

• John Somers, Baron Somers (1651-1716), Lord Chancellor. Sitter associated with 36 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1666 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Having entered the Middle Temple in 1669, Somers won a great legal reputation and was junior counsel for the Seven Bishops in 1688. He also helped to draft the Bill of Rights. As Solicitor-General and Attorney-General he created a new and important tradition by his temperate prosecution of the enemies of the new regime of William and Mary. As a leader of the Whigs he organised the Junto, a close body of ministers which in some ways anticipated the Cabinet. He became a Baron and Lord Chancellor in 1697 and was finally ousted from office when the Tories came to power in 1710. Described by Johnathan Swift as possessing 'all excellent qualifications, except virtue', in this portrait Somers holds a first edition of an octavo edition of Spenser's Fairie Queene published in 1715 and dedicated to him.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D19842: John Somers, Baron Somers (source portrait)
• NPG D33118: John Somers, Baron Somers (source portrait)
• NPG D41809: John Somers, Baron Somers (source portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 255
• Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 255
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 574

Portrait setback to top

• The Kit-cat Club portraits: paintings by Sir Godfrey Kneller, circa 1697-1721

Subject/Themeback to top

• On display at the Gallery