William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
(1520 or 1521-1598), Lord High TreasurerSitter associated with 45 portraits
William Cecil served both Edward VI and Mary I but exercised most power when chief minister to their sister Elizabeth I. When she ascended to the throne, Elizabeth's first appointment was to make Cecil her principal secretary of state, making him the youngest member of her council. Throughout his life he was the queen's most influential minister, tempering her actions with cautious but decisive advice. As a result, the Queen nicknamed Cecil her 'Spirit'. He was created Baron Burghley in 1571, and was Lord High Treasurer and Chief Minister from 1572. The only serious threat to his influence came from Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, whose great dislike he returned.
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
oil on panel, 1560s
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2184
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, after 1572
NPG 715
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, after 1572
NPG 604
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, after circa 1585
NPG 1905
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, after circa 1585
NPG 525
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, after 1587
NPG 362
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, 1590s
NPG 4881
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Rogers, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1572-1604
NPG D21159
Procession of the Knights of the Garter (sheet 5)
after Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder
photograph of engraving, (1576)
NPG D31857
Queen Elizabeth I, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly early to mid 17th century
NPG D25033
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Thomas Cecill
line engraving, possibly early to mid 17th century
NPG D25114
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D25115
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D25116
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D25117
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Magdalena de Passe, after Willem de Passe
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D21163
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
possibly by Willem de Passe
line engraving, 1620
NPG D25112
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Thomas Cecill, after William Rogers
line engraving, 1620s-1630s
NPG D21160
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Magdalena de Passe, by Willem de Passe
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D21164
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Marshall
line engraving, 1642
NPG D25111
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Marshall
line engraving, 1642
NPG D25113
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