Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
(1742-1811), StatesmanRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 82 portraits
Henry Dundas held a prominent position in Scotland's legal system before moving into politics. His interest in Scottish affairs saw him establish Scottish power and influence in government. In 1781 he repealed the Disarming Act to allow Highlanders to wear kilts and tartans again; lobbied for the restoration of forfeited Jacobite estates to their rightful owners; promoted the foundation of the Highland Society and the British Fisheries Society; and encouraged Thomas Telford to improve communication systems with the north. He deplored the Highland Clearances and heavy Scottish emigration to America. Dundas began his political career at the outbreak of the American War of Independence and became an important ally, adviser and friend to the Prime Minister, William Pitt. In 1784 he helped pass the India Act that established the system of Imperial administration. The Act gave the East India Company greater independence while creating a Board of Control to oversee matters rather than direct rule by government. The Board, however, was made up of key political figures including Dundas and Pitt. The structure would remain unaltered until the Indian Rebellion of 1857. When Wilberforce called for the abolition of the slave trade in 1792, Dundas as Home Secretary agreed with Wilberforce in principle but not in means. Rather than an immediate end he felt it should be abolished gradually so as not to undermine the economy. He voted against Wilberforce in 1796. Abolition of the transatlantic slave trade was not achieved until 1807. In 1794 Pitt made Dundas the first Secretary of State for War and in 1806 he was impeached for misappropriation of public funds. Although acquitted, he never held public office again.
by Anton Hickel
oil on canvas, 1793-1795
NPG 745
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
replica by Sir Thomas Lawrence
oil on canvas, circa 1810
NPG 746
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
by James Sayers, published by Charles Bretherton
etching, published 6 April 1782
NPG D9858
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
by James Heath, published by J. Walker, after Dodd
line engraving, published 31 August 1782
NPG D15644
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
by James Sayers, published by Charles Bretherton
coloured etching, 1782
NPG D16521
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
by John Raphael Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1782)
NPG D19829
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
by John Raphael Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1 July 1783 (1782)
NPG D38365
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
by John Raphael Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1 July 1783 (1782)
NPG D38366
'Razor's levée, or ye heads of a new Whig ad...........n on a broad bottom'
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 21 April 1783
NPG D12233
by James Gillray, published by Elizabeth d'Achery
hand-coloured etching, published 21 January 1783
NPG D12317
'Anticipation, or the approaching fate of the French Commercial Treaty'
by James Gillray, published by William Holland
hand-coloured etching, published 1787?
NPG D12356
'The board of controul, or the blessings of a Scotch dictator'
by James Gillray, published by R. Phillips
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 20 March 1787
NPG D12359
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 2 June 1787
NPG D12362
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 2 June 1787
NPG D12363
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 21 May 1787
NPG D12994
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 10 May 1787
NPG D13060
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
etching, published 10 May 1787
NPG D14861
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville ('Dun-Shaw')
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, aquatint and soft-ground etching, published 7 March 1788
NPG D12375
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 2 May 1788
NPG D12377
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 16 May 1788
NPG D12381
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