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 Walter Dolle, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, 1660s-1670s
NPG D33053
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Walter Dolle, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
line engraving, 1660s-1670s
NPG D33054
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Walter Dolle, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, 1672
NPG D26520
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Walter Dolle, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, 1672
NPG D26522
after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D26510
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D16668
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, 1713
NPG D26515
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, 1713
NPG D32193
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D25823
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D26514
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
engraving, 1730s
NPG D42871
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by W. Tringham
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D16670
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
line engraving, late 1730s-early 1740s
NPG D32285
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Baillie, after Daniel Mytens
stipple engraving, published 1785
NPG D26512
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Baillie, after Daniel Mytens
etching, published 1785
NPG D32284
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Baillie, after Daniel Mytens
etching and stipple engraving, published 1785
NPG D19344
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Baillie, after Daniel Mytens
etching and stipple engraving, published 1785
NPG D16717
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough; George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
by William Grainger, published by Alexander Hogg, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, and after Unknown artist
etching, published 31 January 1787
NPG D16641
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
published by William Richardson, after Martin Droeshout
line engraving, published 1810
NPG D26516
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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