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Lord Byron

Lord Byron, after Richard Westall, early 19th century, based on a work of 1813 - NPG 1047 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Lord Byron

after Richard Westall
oil on canvas, early 19th century, based on a work of 1813
30 in. x 25 in. (762 mm x 635 mm)
Purchased, 1896
Primary Collection
NPG 1047

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Richard Westall (1765-1836), History painter. Artist associated with 13 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

A legend in his own lifetime throughout Europe, Byron, who was club-footed, was famous for his good looks and his brilliant, reckless personality. A poet of travel and romance, and a scintillating satirist, he lived abroad from 1816 in self-imposed exile and died of fever at Missolonghi where he had joined the Greeks in their fight against Turkish rule.

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Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1813back to top

Current affairs

Machine breaking Luddite Riots end with seventeen executions in York. Radical John Cartwright's subsequent tour of the manufacturing districts has some success in quelling Luddite discontent with the foundation of the Hampden reform club network across the country.
East India Company is deprived of monopoly over trade with India.

Art and science

Millenarian prophet Joanna Southcott, made famous by her visions of the second coming of Christ, announces herself 'with child' by the Holy Ghost.
Jane Austen publishes Pride and Prejudice.

International

Victorious Battle of St Pierre near Bayonne led by General Rowland Hill.
Battle of Leipzig ends in defeat for Napoleon.
Wellington's victory at Vittoria leads to British invasion of Southern France.
Americans capture and burn Toronto, defeat British in Battle of Lake Erie and recapture Detroit.

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