William Wilberforce

Sitterback to top

• William Wilberforce (1759-1833), Philanthropist and reformer. Sitter associated with 31 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), Portrait painter, collector and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 682 portraits, Sitter in 25 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Wilberforce generally took a conservative position on matters of domestic security, free trade and the constitution. However, he was fiercely independent and would side with opposition politicians like Brougham, Petty-Fitzmaurice or Romilly to achieve his idealistic goals. Wilberforce was well-liked: Lawrence's unfinished portrait was said to capture 'the intellectual power and winning sweetness of the veteran statesman'.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D37510: William Wilberforce ()

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 13
• Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 139
• Levey, Michael, Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1979 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 9 November 1979 - 16 March 1980)
• Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 108
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 116
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 116
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 661
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 554
• Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 47

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Thomas Lawrence Portraits (21 October 2010 - 23 January 2011)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Chairs
• On display at the Gallery
• Portraits with Archive documents