9 OF 15 
Frank Burnand
9 of 15 portraits of Frank Burnand
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Share this
Frank Burnand
by Unknown photographer
albumen cabinet card, circa 1899
5 5/8 in. x 4 in. (142 mm x 102 mm) image size
Given by Lydia Faith (née Harvey), Lady Partridge, 1961
Photographs Collection
NPG x4904
Sitterback to top
- Sir Francis Cowley ('Frank') Burnand (1836-1917), Playwright and humorist; editor of Punch. Sitter in 15 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Unknown photographer, Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 6584 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Rogers, Malcolm, Camera Portraits, 1989 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 20 October 1989 - 21 January 1990), p. 145 Read entry
Burnand pursued a zigzag course from Eton to Cambridge (where he founded the Amateur Dramatic Club), from Anglican theological college to Roman Catholicism, from the Bar to the stage, and finally to the editorship of Punch (1880-1906). As a playwright he has over a hundred popular plays and burlesques to his name, of which Black-eyed Susan (1866) is best known. He was co-founder of the periodical Fun. He joined the staff of Punch in 1863, and was largely responsible for transforming it into a national monument of humour. To the charge that Punch in his time was not as good as it used to be, he replied 'It never was'.
This cabinet photograph, an amusing composite of two poses, conveys much of Burnand's genial appearance and gentle humour. On the column (centre) stands a plaster reduction of the Venus de Milo, and the mount is inscribed in Burnand's hand: 'Discussion on the Venus of Milo/ Two of a trade never agree/ Yours F. C. Burnand June 2 1899'. The photograph was formerly in the collection of the cartoonist Sir Bernard Partridge, who worked for Punch throughout most of Burnand's editorship.
Events of 1899back to top
Current affairs
George Nathaniel Curzon, Lord Curzon, is appointed Viceroy of India, pursuing a mixed policy of forceful control and conciliation. Curzon's inquiries into Indian administration result in legislation in areas including education, irrigation, and policing. The Board of Education is created to co-ordinate the work of higher grade elementary schools, county technical schools and endowed grammar schools, also setting up a register of teachers.Art and science
The Italian Guglielmo Marconi transmits the first wireless telegraph, between France and England across the English Channel, a distance of 32 miles. Marconi's production of waves over long distances lays the foundations for the development of the radio. Later this year, Marconi demonstrates his invention in America, at the Cup yacht race, and for the American navy.International
Outbreak of the second Boer war, fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. Despite a disastrous start, Britain quickly won the war, although guerilla warfare continued until 1902, leading to the introduction of concentration camps by British commander Lord Kitchener, a measure which contributes to the British public's growing disillusionment with the campaign.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.
