Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
(1717-1797), Field MarshalMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 7 portraits
Amherst was responsible for a series of sweeping victories against the French during the Seven Years War (1758-60). These led to the British conquest of Canada, with Amherst establishing the county's military government. His career was not without controversy, owing to his harsh treatment of the Mi'kmaq Indians of Nova Scotia. The most contentious episode was during the Mi'kmaq Indian Pontiac War (1763) when Amherst, in an attempt to put down the uprising, ordered the distribution of smallpox-infected blankets among the Indians. The Pontiac War encouraged the British government to keep a standing army in North America, a measure that provoked colonial resistance in the lead up to the American War of Independence (1775-83).
The Death of the Earl of Chatham
by John Singleton Copley
oil on canvas, 1779-1781
NPG L146
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
by Thomas Gainsborough
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1780
On display in Room 10 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 150
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, published by Josiah Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1766
NPG D7002
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
by James Sayers, published by Charles Bretherton
etching, published 6 April 1782
NPG D9592
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 4 June 1788
NPG D13065
Death of the Earl of Chatham (includes William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham and 55 other sitters)
by Francesco Bartolozzi, after John Singleton Copley
line engraving, published 1791
NPG D18117
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
by James Scott, published by Henry Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1874 (circa 1785)
NPG D15068
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