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Edward John Trelawny

(1792-1881), Writer and adventurer

Sitter in 6 portraits
Entered the Royal Navy aged thirteen and circumnavigated the globe. He deserted and joined a band of pirates, with whom he sailed around the Indian Ocean. Having returned to England, in 1822 he travelled to Pisa, where he met Shelley and Byron. Trelawny and Shelley were close friends when Shelley drowned, and Trelawny was one of the witnesses at his cremation, even snatching Shelly's heart from the fire. With Byron he took part in the Greek War of Independence, and was briefly married to the sister of one of the insurgent chiefs. He published his semi-fictional autobiography, Adventures of a Younger Son in 1831 and Recollections of the Last Days of Shelley and Byron in 1858.

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Edward John Trelawny

by Bryan Edward Duppa
pencil
NPG 2882

Edward John Trelawny

by Bryan Edward Duppa
pencil
NPG 2883

Edward John Trelawny

by Edwin Landseer
pencil
NPG 2886

Edward John Trelawny

by Joseph Severn
pen and ink, 1838
NPG 2132

Edward John Trelawny

by Seymour Stokes Kirkup
lithograph, mid 19th century
NPG D6981

Edward John Trelawny

by Unknown photographer
photogravure
NPG x27046

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Italy

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Edward John Trelawny

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