George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
(1592-1628), Courtier; favourite of James ISitter associated with 49 portraits
Handsome and ambitious, Villiers was the most notorious of James I's favourites. From humble beginnings as cupbearer in the royal household, he rose with astonishing speed through the ranks of the aristocracy, becoming Duke of Buckingham in 1623. As one of the king's leading ministers, some of his administration was effective, but he was widely regarded as corrupt and extravagant. Villiers exercised great influence over both James I and his son Charles I, though was generally regarded with suspicion and dislike by the rest of the court, and as Lord High Admiral was blamed for a number of military failures. He was murdered by John Felton, a discharged officer of the navy in 1628.
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Charles Turner, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
mezzotint, published 1810
NPG D923
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Martin Droeshout, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1810
NPG D16669
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham Tomb in Westminster Abbey
by Black & Hopwood, published by Rudolph Ackermann, after Mackenzie
aquatint, published 1 August 1812
NPG D5190
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Charles Picart, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
stipple engraving, published 1815
NPG D26519
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Charles Picart, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
stipple engraving, published 1815
NPG D32283
The assassination of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham by John Felton
by Richard Sawyer
etching, published 1822
NPG D26521
by William Greatbach, after George Perfect Harding
line engraving, probably mid 19th century
NPG D26130
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Unknown artist
photogravure, published 1902
NPG D41910
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Marshall, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1621-1628
NPG D20421
Related People
- Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey (brother)
- Katherine Villiers (née Manners, later MacDonnell), Duchess of Buckingham (wife)
- George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (son)
- John Villiers, Viscount Purbeck (brother)
- Mary Villiers, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox (daughter)
- Lord Francis Villiers (son)
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