William Baliol Brett, 1st Viscount Esher
8 of 9 portraits of William Baliol Brett, 1st Viscount Esher
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Baliol Brett, 1st Viscount Esher
after Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt
photogravure, (1885)
20 3/8 in. x 15 5/8 in. (517 mm x 397 mm) paper size
Given by Reginald Baliol Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher, 1909
Reference Collection
NPG D36561
Sitterback to top
- William Baliol Brett, 1st Viscount Esher (1815-1899), Judge. Sitter associated with 9 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt (1829-1896), Painter and President of the Royal Academy; ex-officio Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. Artist or producer associated with 43 portraits, Sitter in 76 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1885back to top
Current affairs
Redistribution Act; continues Gladstone's extensive package of electoral reform, although his Liberal government is later defeated when the Irish Nationalists, seeking support for Home Rule, side with the Conservatives over a budget measure. The Marquess of Salisbury is invited to form a 'caretaker' government.Art and science
The Dictionary of National Biography is first published quarterly, under the editorship of Leslie Stephen, and sub-editorship of Sidney Lee. Volume 63 completed the work in 1900. Setting new standards in life writing, the DNB exemplified the form of the brief biography, formalising a style and approach to writing lives, based on Stephen's guiding principles of selection and presentation in 'business-like form'.International
The death of the famous General Charles Gordon sparks outrage in Britain. Sent to the Sudan to evacuate Egyptian forces from Khartoum, threatened by Sudanese rebels under Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi, Khartoum quickly came under siege, and Gordon is killed and beheaded two days before the relief force arrived. The British public proclaimed Gordon a martyr, and attacked government, particularly Gladstone, for not relieving British forces earlier.Comments back to top
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