Dorothy Jordan
(1761-1816), Actress; mistress of William IVDorothy Jordan (Mrs Jordan) (Dorothea Phillips)
Regency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 32 portraits
The Irish Mrs Jordan made her theatrical debut in England and was quickly hailed as London's leading comic actress. In 1790 she became mistress to the Duke of Clarence, afterwards King William IV. Despite the high-society scandal of their relationship, the actress and the Duke lived together for twenty contented years in which she bore him ten illegitimate children. She continued to act, often supporting the profligate Duke from her impressive income. Their life together ended cruelly in 1811 with the advent of the Regency and William's search for an official bride.
Dorothy Jordan as Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's 'The Constant Couple'
by E.R., after Unknown artist
hand-coloured line and stipple engraving, early 19th century (1788)
NPG D47419
by James Heath, after John Russell
stipple engraving, published 1802
NPG D3323
'L'assemblée nationale: - or - grand cooperation meeting at St Ann's Hill'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 18 June 1804
NPG D13107
by William Ridley, published by Vernor & Hood, after John Thomas Barber Beaumont (John Thomas Barber)
stipple engraving, published 31 December 1804
NPG D15024
by Mackenzie
stipple engraving, published 1805
NPG D23541
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 7 January 1805
NPG D12839
by James Godby, after Sir Robert Ker Porter
stipple engraving, published 1806
NPG D3322
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 5 April 1806
NPG D12863
Robert William Elliston; Dorothy Jordan as Belinda and Beverley in Murphy's 'All in the Wrong'
probably by John Alais
hand-coloured stipple engraving, 1808
NPG D46075
probably by John Rogers, published by Simpkin and Marshall, published by Clement Chapple, after O. Steeden
stipple engraving, published 1824
NPG D3321
Dorothy Jordan as Peggy in Garrick's 'The Country Girl'
published by J. McCormick, after George Romney
hand-coloured stipple engraving, published 1 September 1830
NPG D47416
published by George Pulman & Sons, after John Hoppner
duotone, early 20th century
NPG D36741
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