Elizabeth Wellesley (née Hay), Duchess of Wellington

1 portrait of Elizabeth Wellesley (née Hay), Duchess of Wellington

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation Close

Elizabeth Wellesley (née Hay), Duchess of Wellington

by Francis Holl, published by John Mitchell, after James Rannie Swinton
stipple engraving, published 25 April 1859
20 1/8 in. x 14 5/8 in. (511 mm x 372 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1956
Reference Collection
NPG D37640

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Francis Holl (1815-1884), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 102 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
  • John Mitchell (active 1832-died 1889), Publisher. Artist or producer associated with 206 portraits.
  • James Rannie Swinton (1816-1888), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 63 portraits.

Placesback to top

Events of 1859back to top

Current affairs

Formation of the first Liberal cabinet, following the dissolution of Parliament in light of the Liberal and opposition member Lord Russell's introduction of a resolution arguing for widening the franchise, carried because the Conservatives, the ruling party, only have a minority. Palmerston holds a meeting of Whigs, Peelites and Radicals, from which the Liberal Party is formed, and the Queen later invites him to become Prime Minister.

Art and science

Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species is published, in which he sets out his theory of evolution based on the process of natural selection, species mutation, and survival of the fittest.
The engineer Joseph Bazalgette begins work on constructing the London sewerage system, following the 'Big Stink' of the preceding summer. Bazalgette's system, now extended, continues to serve London.

International

Outbreak of war between an alliance of France and Italian nationalists, and Austria. Napoleon III signs an armistice with Austria. However, pressure from Britain, supporting Italian unification to counterweight French and Austrian influence, leads to success for Italian nationalists.
The first oil well is drilled in America, after Edwin Drake's discovery in Titusville, Pennsylvania, transforming a quiet farming region into Oil Creek.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.