Search the Collection

(William) John Biffen, Baron Biffen

(1930-2007), Conservative politician; Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons

Sitter in 5 portraits
The son of a Somerset farmer, John Biffen entered Parliament in 1961 as a Conservative MP. Never content merely to toe the party line, he voted against a number of government policies, most notably entry to the EEC. As a result, he remained on the backbenches under the leadership of Edward Heath. From 1979, Biffen held a number of senior offices under Margaret Thatcher including Leader of the House of Commons, Secretary of State for Trade and Lord President of the Council. In 1986 he was famously branded a 'semi-detached member of the Cabinet' by Mrs Thatcher's press secretary Bernard Ingham, after suggesting that she might not go on forever. Biffen entered the House of Lords as a life peer in 1997.

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

The House of Commons, 24 July 1986

by Chris Orr
aquatint and etching, 1986
NPG 6834

(William) John Biffen, Baron Biffen

by Nick Sinclair
bromide print, 1991
NPG P563(5)

John Biffen

by Walter Bird
bromide print, 5 November 1965
NPG x165182

Margaret Thatcher and the Cabinet of 1979

by Central Press
bromide press print, June 1979
NPG x182327

(William) John Biffen, Baron Biffen

by Nick Sinclair
bromide fibre print, circa 1993
NPG x87068

Groups

Place

Somerset

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. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. 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? (Help)

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.

Citation (Help)

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

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

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.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

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.

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

(William) John Biffen, Baron Biffen

Thanks for Liking