Search the Collection

Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt

(1746-1800), Judge

Sitter associated with 7 portraits
Buller was called to the Bar in 1772 and rapidly acquired an extensive legal practice, acting in many important cases. He became the youngest ever High Court Judge in 1778 at the age of thirty-two. William Pitt made him a baronet in 1790 and in 1794 he transferred to the court of Common Pleas, dealing with civil actions, where he served until his death. His assertion that a husband could thrash his wife with impunity provided that the stick was no thicker than his thumb, led cartoonist Gillray to caricature him as 'Judge Thumb'.

Tell us More

ListThumbnail

Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt
by Mather Brown
NPG 458

Possibly Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt
by Unknown artist
NPG D9036

Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt ('Judge Thumb')
by James Gillray, published by William Humphrey
NPG D12316

'Andrew Robinson Bowes Esqr. as he appeared in the Court of Kings Bench'
by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth Jackson
NPG D21647

'Andrew Robinson Bowes Esqr. as he appeared in the Court of Kings Bench'
by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth Jackson
NPG D12353

'Evidence to character; - being a portrait of a traitor, by his friends & by himself'
by James Gillray, published by John Wright
NPG D12674

Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt
by Francesco Bartolozzi, after Mather Brown
NPG D13739

Groups

Judges

Place

Devon

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt

Thanks for Liking