John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
(1584-1660), Speaker of the House of CommonsSitter associated with 9 portraits
John Finch, 1st Baron Finch, was descended from a prominent legal family and was called to the Bar to practice law in 1611. He was elected to Parliament as MP for Canterbury in 1614. In 1625 Finch attracted the notice of King Charles I, when Charles visited Canterbury and was received in the city with an address by Finch. The following year he was knighted and appointed as King's Counsel and Attorney General. Finch was elected Speaker in 1628. The post was short-lived however, as Parliament was dissolved by the king in 1629.
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich, formerly known as Sir Nicholas Hyde
after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
oil on canvas, after 1635
On display at Middle Temple, London
NPG 461
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
possibly after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1640
NPG 2125
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
by Wenceslaus Hollar, after Edward Bower
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26940
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
by Wenceslaus Hollar, after Edward Bower
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D46199
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
by George Vertue, possibly after Edward Bower
line engraving, circa 1713
NPG D26941
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
by Guillaume Philippe Benoist
line engraving, 1757
NPG D26939
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
published by John Thane, after George Glover
etching and line engraving, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D46200
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich and Sir Francis Windebank
possibly after George Glover, published by John Thane
line engraving, early 19th century
NPG D26905
John Finch, Lord Finch of Fordwich
attributed to Thomas Athow, after Unknown artist, probably after Sir Anthony van Dyck
watercolour, early 19th century
NPG D23263
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