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William Congreve

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William Congreve

studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1709
30 in. x 24 1/2 in. (762 mm x 622 mm)
Purchased, 1859
Primary Collection
NPG 67

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG 3199: William Congreve (source portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1709back to top

Current affairs

Political struggle develops between the Whigs and Queen Anne over the succession to the post of Lord High Admiral following the death of the queen's consort, Prince George. The Whig, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, eventually wins the post.
Unusually cold winter in England and across Europe.

Art and science

Publisher and secretary of the Kit-cat Club, Jacob Tonson, senior and poet John Dryden, include Alexander Pope's first publication, his poem, Pastorals, in the sixth edition of their Miscellany Poems.
Dramatist, Nicholas Rowe, edits the first modern edition of Shakespeare's plays.
The Tatler is founded by essayist Sir Richard Steele.

International

Ambassador to The Hague, Charles Townshend, Viscount Townshend, negotiates the barrier treaty with Holland, guaranteeing provision of fortresses in the Southern Netherlands and safeguarding the Hanoverian succession in England. Townshend also enters serious negotiations for peace with France.
Battle of Malplaquet results in stalemate between the warring factions.


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