William Parsons

1 portrait by F. Chamberlayne

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Parsons

by John Brooks, published by F. Chamberlayne, after T. Jonson
etching, published 26 January 1750
16 5/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (421 mm x 250 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1952
Reference Collection
NPG D39557

Sitterback to top

  • William Parsons (1717-1750), Hanged for highway robbery; son of Sir John Parsons, Bt. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • John Brooks (circa 1710-after 1756), Engraver and print publisher. Artist or producer associated with 35 portraits.
  • F. Chamberlayne (active 1750), Printseller and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
  • T. Jonson (active circa 1750). Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.

Placesback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1750back to top

Current affairs

Notorious highwayman James MacLaine is apprehended and hanged at Tyburn, having passed in society as a wealthy gentleman for two years.
Scottish landlords start evicting tenants in the Highland Clearances.
Westminster Bridge is opened, the only fixed crossing of the River Thames between London Bridge and Putney.
Iron Act is passed restricting the manufacture of iron products in the American colonies.

Art and science

Electrician and experimental philosopher John Canton reads a paper before the Royal Society on a method of making artificial magnets.
Writer Samuel Johnson begins publishing his periodical The Rambler.
Artist Joshua Reynolds travels to Italy, where he remains until 1752.
Establishment of the Jockey Club; a gentleman's club which took over the regulation of British horse racing.

International

Composer Johann Sebastian Bach dies in Leipzig. He completes his Mass in B Minor, worked on over many years, shortly before his death.

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