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John Bannister

(1760-1836), Comedian and actor

Sitter in 9 portraits
Jack (John) Bannister had been a student at the Royal Academy Schools before making his acting debut in 1778. He remained a close friend of his fellow student, the caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, throughout his life. He found success with the part of Don Ferolo Whiskerandos in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Critic (1779) and made a reputation for himself as a popular light comedian with a good singing voice. He was particularly associated with the summer seasons at the Haymarket Theatre and married the company's principal singer, Elizabeth Harper, in 1783.

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John Bannister

by John Russell
pastel, 1799
NPG 1769

John Bannister

by George Dance
pencil, 1800
NPG 1136

John Bannister

by and published by John Raphael Smith, after Mather Brown
mezzotint, published 1787
NPG D622

John Bannister

by John Raphael Smith, after Mather Brown
mezzotint, published 1787
NPG D7512

John Bannister as Gradias in Mrs Cowley's 'Who's the Dupe'

by Edward Bell, after Samuel De Wilde
mezzotint, published 1794
NPG D7511

John Bannister as Scout and William Parsons as Sheeplace in 'The Village Lawyer'

by John Raphael Smith, after Samuel De Wilde
mezzotint, published 1796
NPG D7509

John Bannister

possibly after George Clint
mezzotint, early 19th century
NPG D7510

John Bannister

by William Daniell, after George Dance
soft-ground etching, (May 1800)
NPG D15044

John Opie; John Bannister

published by James Cundee, after John Opie, and after Unknown artist
stipple engraving, published 1 July 1807
NPG D45904

Related People

Charles Bannister (father)
Elizabeth Bannister (née Harpur) (wife)

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John Bannister