'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 8'
25 of 57 portraits of William Cobbett
'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 8'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 29 September 1809
14 1/2 in. x 8 1/2 in. (367 mm x 216 mm) plate size; 15 1/2 in. x 9 3/4 in. (394 mm x 248 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12931
Sittersback to top
- Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Bt (1770-1844), Parliamentary reformer. Sitter associated with 135 portraits. Identify
- William Cobbett (1763-1835), Journalist, agriculturalist and politician; MP for Oldham. Sitter associated with 57 portraits. Identify
- Sir Charles Morgan (né Gould), 1st Bt (1726-1806), Judge. Sitter in 2 portraits. Identify
- John Horne Tooke (1736-1812), Radical politician; MP and philologist. Sitter associated with 49 portraits. Identify
- Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle (circa 1761-1833), Soldier and politician. Sitter in 9 portraits. Identify
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D12924: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 1' (William Cobbett) (from same series as)
- NPG D12925: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 2' (William Cobbett) (from same series as)
- NPG D12926: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 3' (William Cobbett) (from same series as)
- NPG D12927: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 4' (William Cobbett) (from same series as)
- NPG D12928: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 5' (William Cobbett; Sir Charles Morgan (né Gould), 1st Bt) (from same series as)
- NPG D12929: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 6' (from same series as)
- NPG D12930: 'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 7' (from same series as)
Events of 1809back to top
Current affairs
Duke of Portland resigns as Prime Minister to be succeeded by Spencer Perceval.Motion for parliamentary reform is defeated in the House of Commons.
Notorious duel between George Canning and Viscount Castlereagh over strategic failures against Napoleon.
Art and science
Maria Edgeworth publishes Tales of Fashionable Life, a popular and perceptive series of stories exploring Anglo-Irish society after the Union.Robert Smirke completes the New Covent Garden Theatre after fire. 'Old Price' theatre riots quickly break out against rising cost of admission.
Pall Mall in London is lit by gas for the first time.
International
British army lands in Lisbon and defeats the French at Talavera. Arthur Wellesley is created Viscount Wellington as a result of this victory.Walcheren expedition led by General Chatham, which aimed to take Antwerp, fails amidst allegations of military corruption and carnage.
James Madison is elected President of the United States.
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