William Wykeham
6 of 50 portraits by John Keyse Sherwin
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Wykeham
by John Keyse Sherwin
engraving, published 6 September 1774
16 7/8 in. x 18 7/8 in. (429 mm x 478 mm) plate size; 17 7/8 in. x 22 1/2 in. (455 mm x 570 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1956
Reference Collection
NPG D36202
Sitterback to top
- William Wykeham (1324-1404), Bishop of Winchester and founder of New College, Oxford. Sitter associated with 9 portraits.
Artistback to top
- John Keyse Sherwin (1751-1790), Draughtsman and engraver. Artist or producer associated with 50 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
Events of 1774back to top
Current affairs
Philanthropist and reformer John Howard is called before the House of Commons Select Committee to give evidence on the shocking conditions in prisons across the country.Young Tahitian Omai arrives in England after making contact with Captain James Cook on his second voyage. He is introduced into London Society by Joseph Banks and is much admired.
Coercive or 'Intolerable' Acts are passed in response to the crisis in the American colonies.
Art and science
Philosopher and chemist Joseph Priestley isolates oxygen in the form of a gas.Artist Thomas Gainsborough moves from Bath to set up a studio in London.
Royal Crescent, Bath, designed by John Wood the Younger, is completed.
Methodist preacher John Wesley publishes his pamphlet Thoughts Upon Slavery which argues against slavery.
International
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe publishes his romantic novel, The Sorrows of Young Werther, bringing him an immediate European reputation.In retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, the port of Boston is closed under the first of the British government's Coercive Acts. Delegates from twelve American colonies meet in Philadelphia and agree not to import any goods from Britain.
Death of Louis XV of France. Louis XVI succeeds.
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