John Loudon McAdam
1 portrait
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
John Loudon McAdam
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1830
35 1/4 in. x 27 1/4 in. (895 mm x 692 mm)
Given by the sitter's descendant, Katharine L. Scott (née Steuart), 1950
Primary Collection
NPG 3686
On display in Room 16 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sitterback to top
- John Loudon McAdam (1756-1836), Civil engineer; inventor of 'macadamisation' of roads. Sitter in 3 portraits.
This portraitback to top
In the background of this portrait workmen can be seen laying down a road. Beyond them lies Bristol where, from 1816, McAdam first applied his construction technique on an extensive scale.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Smartify image discovery app
- Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 34 Read entry
The 'macadamiser' of roads, with a crew hard at work in the background. Like the canal and railway innovators, a vital contributor to the sinews of the industrial revolution.
- Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 153
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 396
- Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 326
Events of 1830back to top
Current affairs
George IV dies at Windsor on 26 June; William IV succeeds to the throne.Duke of Wellington resigns as Prime Minister to be succeeded by Earl Grey.
'Captain Swing' disturbances among agricultural districts in southern England. Taking their name from a mythical leader, hundreds of labourers break the threshing machines that threaten their winter employment.
Art and science
Liverpool and Manchester Railway opens; MP William Huskisson is run down by a train and killed at the inaugural ceremony.William Cobbett publishes Rural Rides; a nostalgic tribute to the English countryside which expresses dismay at the sweeping changes taking place.
International
July Revolution in France overthrows the Bourbon dynasty. Charles X goes into exile in England and Louis Philippe, Duc d'Orleans is proclaimed King by the Chamber of Deputies who fear European opposition to the declaration of a second Republic.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.