William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
(1779-1848), Prime MinisterEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 159 portraits
Melbourne was a Whig MP from 1806, Irish Secretary under Canning and Home Secretary under Lord Grey, 1830-34. After Grey's resignation he was appointed Prime Minister, a position he held twice (1834, 1835-41). He married the poet Lady Caroline Lamb in 1805 but they separated in 1825 following her infamous affair with the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Melbourne advised the young Queen Victoria and she became very devoted to him, to the extent that she was criticised for too partisan an approach to political issues, and rumours of a romantic attachment between them proliferated in the early days of her reign.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
by Sir Thomas Lawrence
oil on canvas, circa 1805
On display at The Collection, Lincoln
NPG 5185
The Trial of Queen Caroline 1820
by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1820-1823
On display in Room 17 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 999
Bowyer Edward Sparke and other figures
by Sir George Hayter
pencil, pen and wash, circa 1820
NPG 2662(12)
by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1833-1843
On display in Room 20 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 54
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
by Edwin Landseer
oil on panel, 1836
NPG 3050
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
by Sir George Hayter
pencil, 1837
NPG 4342
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, 1838
NPG 316a(87)
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
by Samuel Diez
pencil and wash, 1841
NPG 3103
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
by John Partridge
oil on canvas, 1844
NPG 941
The Fine Arts Commissioners, 1846
by John Partridge
oil on canvas, circa 1846-1853
NPG 342
'The Fine Arts Commissioners, 1846'
by John Partridge
oil on paper, circa 1846
NPG 343a
Sketch for 'The Fine Arts Commissioners, 1846'
by Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
pencil, circa 1846
NPG 343b
Key to 'The Fine Arts Commissioners, 1846'
by Sir George Scharf
pen and ink and wash, 1872
NPG 343c
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne ('Sketched by Humphrey - spoil'd by Gillray')
by James Gillray, published by Robert Wilkinson, after William Humphrey
crayon manner engraving, published 1 November 1781
NPG D12295
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Charles Etienne Pierre Motte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 9 September 1830
NPG D41017
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Charles Etienne Pierre Motte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 17 May 1831
NPG D41064
The State Kennel - Alias Canaille
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Charles Etienne Pierre Motte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 17 October 1831
NPG D41096
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 12 July 1832
NPG D41147
A Game at Cudgels All Among Friends
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 25 May 1833
NPG D41198
Sleeping Partners in a Doubtful Concern
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 13 June 1833
NPG D41203
Related People
- Lady Caroline Lamb (wife)
- George Lamb (brother)
- Peniston Lamb (brother)
- Elizabeth Lamb (née Milbanke), Viscountess Melbourne (mother)
- Frederick James Lamb, 3rd Viscount Melbourne (brother)
- Emily Mary ('Amelia') (née Lamb), Viscountess Palmerston (sister)
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