Sir Arthur Helps
(1813-1875), Essayist and historianEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 3 portraits
Sir Arthur Helps began his career as Private Secretary, first to Thomas Spring Rice, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and then to Lord Morpeth, Chief Secretary for Ireland. An inheritance he received in 1842 enabled him to purchase an estate in Hampshire and to devote himself to literary work and social reform. His most successful works were two series discoursing on social, political and literary topics, entitled Friends in Council (1847-9 and 1859). In 1860, he became Clerk of the Privy Council, a post he held until his death. This position brought him into contact with the queen, for whom he edited extracts from her journal, published as Leaves from the Journal of our Life in the Highlands (1868).
by George Richmond
chalk, 1858
NPG 2027
The Opening of the Royal Albert Infirmary at Bishop's Waltham, 1865
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1865
NPG 3083
Sir Arthur Helps ('Men of the Day. No. 86.')
by Carlo Pellegrini
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 15 August 1874
NPG D43653
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