Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count von Rumford
1 portrait by Georg von Dillis
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count von Rumford
by Joseph Peter Paul Rauschmayer, after Georg von Dillis
stipple engraving, 1797
11 3/4 in. x 7 1/2 in. (299 mm x 192 mm) plate size; 12 1/2 in. x 8 1/8 in. (316 mm x 205 mm) paper size
Bequeathed by (Frederick) Leverton Harris, 1927
Reference Collection
NPG D15594
Sitterback to top
- Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count von Rumford (1753-1814), Scientist; founder of the Royal Institution. Sitter in 9 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Georg von Dillis (1779-1856). Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
- Joseph Peter Paul Rauschmayer (1758-1815). Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
Events of 1797back to top
Current affairs
The Anti-Jacobin periodical makes its debut followed by The Anti-Jacobin Review the year after. Edited by William Gifford, it acted as a Tory mouthpiece against the 'New Morality' associated with republicanism.Bank crisis results in the temporary suspension of payments by the Bank of England leading to a nationwide currency shortage.
Art and science
Robert Southey, later Poet Laureate, publishes his collected Poems, exploring contemporary interest in mythology and non-European cultures.Ann Radcliffe publishes her popular gothic novel The Italian. One of the most imaginative novelists of the period, she helped introduce readers to the romantic sense of the supernatural.
International
Battle of Cape St Vincent. Admiral John Jervis leads the fleet which defeat the Spanish.Failure of a small French invasion in Pembrokeshire.
Naval mutinies at Spithead and Nore.
Attack on the Canary Islands in which Rear-Admiral Nelson loses an arm.
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