Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt

1 portrait by James Scott

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt

by James Scott, published by Thomas Boys, after John Linnell
mezzotint, published 1 January 1840
21 5/8 in. x 16 5/8 in. (548 mm x 421 mm) plate size
Acquired, 1925
Reference Collection
NPG D39596

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Thomas Boys (active 1840s-1859), Fine art publisher. Artist or producer associated with 19 portraits.
  • John Linnell (1792-1882), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 70 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.
  • James Scott (circa 1809-circa 1889), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 136 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D39594: Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt (from same plate)
  • NPG D39595: Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1840back to top

Current affairs

Victoria marries her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha; he is given the title of Prince Consort.
The Penny Black stamp is introduced by Rowland Hill; the first pre-paid, self-adhesive stamp, it marks the start of the modern postal system.
The start of the Irish potato famine, which by the time of its peak in 1851, had caused the deaths of one million, and contributed to the sharp rise of emigration from Ireland to England and America.

Art and science

Beau Brummel, the fashion leader responsible for sparking the culture of 'Dandyism', dies of syphilis.
The first stone is laid on the new Houses of Parliament, based on the gothic designs by the architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. The old buildings had burned down in 1834, following a blaze caused by burning wooden tallies used by the Exchequer to calculate tax.

International

The Afghans surrender to Britain during the Afghan-British war (1839-42). The war was sparked by British fear over Russian influence in Afghanistan, with the British East India Company resolving to depose the Afghan leader, Dost Muhammad, who was insistent on Afghan independence, and restore the former leader Shoja Shah.
The Maoris yield sovereignty of New Zealand under the Treaty of Waitangi.

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