Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
(1750-1823), Lord ChancellorRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 69 portraits
Erskine was a lawyer and Whig politician who rose to prominence defending political radicals during the 1790s. He was Lord Chancellor in Grenville's coalition 'Ministry of All the Talents'. Erskine stood for free speech and a free press and is remembered primarily as one of the great advocates in English legal history. He rose to prominence defending political radicals in the 1790s, winning a notable victory against the State during the infamous Treason Trials of 1794. His best known client was Thomas Paine whom he defended unsuccessfully against a charge of seditious libel after the publication of his Rights of Man (1791). Erskine's last notable case was his defence of Queen Caroline at her divorce 'trial' in 1820.
'Charon's boat - or - the ghost's of "All the Talents" taking their last voyage'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 16 July 1807
NPG D12895
'The funeral procession of Broad-bottom'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 6 April 1807
NPG D13114
'Broad-bottom drones storming the hive - wasps, hornets & bumble bees, joining in the attack'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 2 May 1808
NPG D12906
'The apples and the horse-turds; - or - Buonaparte among the golden pippins'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 24 February 1808
NPG D13033
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, engraving and aquatint, published 22 March 1808
NPG D13115
'Disciples catching the mantle: - the spirit of darkness overshadowing the priests of Baal'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 25 June 1808
NPG D13116
'An old English-gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 May 1809
NPG D12922
'Tentanda via est qua me quoque possim tollere humo'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, engraving and aquatint, published 8 August 1810
NPG D13118
Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
photogravure, 1905 (1786)
NPG D36199
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