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William Makepeace Thackeray

(1811-1863), Novelist

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 42 portraits
Artist of 2 portraits
A novelist known for his satirical works, Thackeray studied law and art before taking up writing professionally as a journalist for a variety of publications, including Fraser's Magazine and Punch. His feature, Jeames' Diary, for Punch attracted much attention with its focus on the theme of English snobbery. He achieved more widespread success with Vanity Fair (1847-8), which told the story of social climber Becky Sharp and satirised London's nouveau riche and upper class society. Pendennis (1848-50) and The Newcomes (1855) confirmed his status as a major novelist. Following his unexpected death at the age of fifty-two, an estimated 7,000 people attended his funeral.

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William Makepeace Thackeray, by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after  James Deville - NPG 620

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after James Deville
plaster cast of bust, 1850-1881, based on a work of 1824-1825
NPG 620

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Elkington & Co, after  Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after  James Deville - NPG 620a

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Elkington & Co, after Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after James Deville
electrotype of bust, 1881, based on a work of 1824-1825
NPG 620a

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Frank Stone - NPG 4210

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Frank Stone
oil on canvas, circa 1839
On display in Room 21 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4210

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Unknown photographer - NPG P1996

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Unknown photographer
ninth plate daguerreotype in case with lock of hair, 1852-1853
NPG P1996

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after  Joseph Durham - NPG 495a

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after Joseph Durham
terracotta cast of bust, 1878, based on a work of 1864
NPG 495a

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG Ax30392

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax30392

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG Ax17293

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax17293

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Caldesi, Blanford & Co - NPG Ax17294

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Caldesi, Blanford & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, early 1860s
NPG Ax17294

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG Ax7513

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax7513

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Herbert Watkins - NPG x12964

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG x12964

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Unknown photographer - NPG x12965

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Unknown photographer
albumen carte-de-visite, early 1860s
NPG x12965

William Makepeace Thackeray, by Caldesi, Blanford & Co - NPG x12962

William Makepeace Thackeray

by Caldesi, Blanford & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, early 1860s
NPG x12962

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