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Thomas Carlyle

6 of 12 portraits by Charles Bell Birch

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Thomas Carlyle

by Charles Bell Birch
pen and ink, 1859
6 5/8 in. x 4 3/8 in. (168 mm x 111 mm)
Given by the artist's brother, George von Pirch, 1931
Primary Collection
NPG 2520

Sitterback to top

  • Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), Historian and essayist; Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. Sitter associated with 94 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Charles Bell Birch (1832-1893), Sculptor. Artist or producer of 12 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Linked publicationsback 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.

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