John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
(1650-1722), Soldier and statesmanLater Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 86 portraits
Rising to become a confidential agent of James, Duke of York, once James became King in 1685, Churchill pursued a distinguished military career, playing a major role in crushing the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion in 1685. He later deserted James II in 1688, and was rewarded with an earldom by William III. Marlborough's influence at court reached its height with the accession of Queen Anne, when promoted to Commander-in Chief of the allied forces, he achieved huge victories against the French in the War of the Spanish Succession. However, the increasing unpopularity of the war and his arrogance contributed to his dismissal in 1711. He eventually regained favour with the accession of George I in 1714.
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Pieter Schenck, after Adriaen van der Werff
mezzotint, 1708
NPG D9329
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1711
NPG D18908
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Arnold van Westerhout
line engraving, 1721
NPG D16658
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Henry Roberts, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D16653
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D31535
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D31537
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Sébastien Pinssio, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D16646
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by B. Cole
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D16660
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Robert Sheppard, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1732-1740
NPG D38233
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by John Faber Jr, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1735
NPG D33096
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by John Faber Jr, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1735
NPG D19727
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1744
NPG D16638
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1745
NPG D31529
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1745
NPG D31536
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1745
NPG D38234
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1745
NPG D13913
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1745
NPG D16630
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1745
NPG D16631
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
published by John Hinton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1749
NPG D16634
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by William Wynne Ryland, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1757
NPG D16635
Related People
- Diana Russell (née Spencer), Duchess of Bedford (granddaughter)
- John Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (son)
- Elizabeth Egerton (née Churchill), Countess of Bridgewater (daughter)
- Arabella Godfrey (née Churchill) (sister)
- Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns (Jennings)), Duchess of Marlborough (wife)
- Henrietta ('Harriet') Godolphin (née Churchill), Duchess of Marlborough (daughter)
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (grandson)
- Mary Montagu (née Churchill), Duchess of Montagu (daughter)
- Anne Spencer (née Churchill), Countess of Sunderland (daughter)
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