Search the Collection

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

(1751-1816), Dramatist and parliamentary orator

Sitter associated with 167 portraits
Playwright and statesman; eloped with Elizabeth Linley whom he subsequently married, 1772; established his reputation with his comedy, The Rivals, 1775; manager of Drury Lane Theatre from 1776; The School for Scandal performed 1777. A favourite in society, he also embarked on a successful political career, becoming a Whig MP, 1780; noted as an orator; held office under Rockingham and Portland, and led the impeachment against Warren Hastings; friend and confidant of the Prince of Wales.

More on Richard Sheridan: Jane Austen and her World book in our Shops

Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

Richard Brinsley Sheridan, by John Russell - NPG 651

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

by John Russell
pastel on grey paper, 1788
NPG 651

The House of Commons 1793-94, by Karl Anton Hickel - NPG 745

The House of Commons 1793-94

by Karl Anton Hickel
oil on canvas, 1793-1795
NPG 745

Richard Brinsley Sheridan, by Unknown artist - NPG D5967

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

by Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1 November 1777
NPG D5967

Richard Brinsley Sheridan ('A peep behind the curtain at Drury Lane'), by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell - NPG D9542

Richard Brinsley Sheridan ('A peep behind the curtain at Drury Lane')

by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching and aquatint, published 14 January 1780
NPG D9542

'Banditti', by John Boyne, published by Edward Hedges - NPG D12343

'Banditti'

by John Boyne, published by Edward Hedges
etching, published 22 December 1783
NPG D12343

'General Blackbeard wounded at the battle of Leadenhall', by John Boyne, published by Edward Hedges - NPG D12344

'General Blackbeard wounded at the battle of Leadenhall'

by John Boyne, published by Edward Hedges
etching, published 5 January 1784
NPG D12344

'Westminster school. or - Dr Busby settling accounts with Master-Billy and his playmates', by James Gillray, published by James Ridgway - NPG D12993

'Westminster school. or - Dr Busby settling accounts with Master-Billy and his playmates'

by James Gillray, published by James Ridgway
hand-coloured etching, published 4 February 1785
NPG D12993

'Anticipation, or the approaching fate of the French Commercial Treaty', by James Gillray, published by William Holland - NPG D12356

'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 Prince at Grasse', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12362

'The Prince at Grasse'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 2 June 1787
NPG D12362

'The Prince in Clover', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12363

'The Prince in Clover'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 2 June 1787
NPG D12363

'The sick prince', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12365

'The sick prince'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 16 June 1787
NPG D12365

'The theatrical war', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12366

'The theatrical war'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 30 June 1787
NPG D12366

Richard Brinsley Sheridan, published by Photographische Gesellschaft, after John Russell - NPG D40698

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

published by Photographische Gesellschaft, after John Russell
photogravure, (1788)
NPG D40698

'The princess's bow alias the Bow Begum', by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell - NPG D9573

'The princess's bow alias the Bow Begum'

by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 1 May 1788
NPG D9573

'Oppositions attempt to raise the dead', by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell - NPG D12240

'Oppositions attempt to raise the dead'

by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 17 March 1788
NPG D12240

'The impeachment', by James Sayers - NPG D12245

'The impeachment'

by James Sayers
etching, 1788?
NPG D12245

'The shadow of opposition', by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell - NPG D12248

'The shadow of opposition'

by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching and aquatint, published 31 March 1788
NPG D12248

'The Westminster hunt', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12376

'The Westminster hunt'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 27 April 1788
NPG D12376

'Market day', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12377

'Market day'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 2 May 1788
NPG D12377

'State-jugglers', by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores - NPG D12381

'State-jugglers'

by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 16 May 1788
NPG D12381

Related People

Category

Groups

Links

Media

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.