John Somers, Baron Somers
(1651-1716), Lord ChancellorLater Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 38 portraits
Somers was called to the Bar in 1676, and he combined his work as a barrister with involvement with Whig politics. He was at the centre of the Whig party in the twenty-five years following the revolution of 1688. Entering Parliament as an MP in 1689, Somers was made first Solicitor General and then Attorney General; he became William III's most confidential adviser. He served in a number of other senior government offices including Lord Keeper, Lord Chancellor and Lord President to the Council. Somers' legal abilities, constitutional achievements and his belief in religious toleration was extravagantly praised by Whig historians throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
by Unknown artist
watercolour on vellum on card, 1690-1700
NPG 3658
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1705
On display at Lyme Park, Stockport
NPG 490
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D29879
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D30927
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D30928
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D9287
by and published by Robert White
line engraving, 1688
NPG D43262
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D11943
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1695 or after
NPG D11015
by Robert Cooper
stipple engraving, (before 1711)
NPG D41809
by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1711
NPG D18165
by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D9184
by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D31100
by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D31101
by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D11572
by and sold by John Smith, after Jonathan Richardson
mezzotint, 1713 (1713)
NPG D41808
by John Simon, sold by Edward Cooper, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1715-1716)
NPG D4259
by John Faber Jr, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1733 (before 1711)
NPG D33118
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