Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
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© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
attributed to Thomas Phillips
oil on canvas, circa 1820
50 1/4 in. x 39 3/4 in. (1276 mm x 1010 mm)
Purchased, 1960
Primary Collection
NPG 4137
Sitterback to top
- Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 189 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 216 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Shown here with his peer's robes, Grey was a traditional Whig aristocrat who was neither a radical nor republican. He saw reform as a means of preserving a balanced constitution and deflecting revolution in Britain. His moderate politics and clever strategy helped finally quell divisions in the party and secure the Reform Bill's passage.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Smartify image discovery app
- Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 137
- Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 200
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 264
Events of 1820back to top
Current affairs
George III dies at Windsor Castle on 29 January and George IV ascends to the throne.'Trial of Queen Caroline' in the House of Lords; Parliament drops the Bill which was to legitimise a divorce between Caroline and George IV.
Cato Street Conspiracy to assassinate the cabinet discovered. Arthur Thistlewood and fellow conspirators are hung.
Art and science
Sir Thomas Lawrence becomes President of the Royal Academy.Astronomical Society is set up by John Herschel and Charles Babbage.
First iron steamship is launched.
International
Actor, Edmund Kean goes on a successful tour of America after making his name at the Drury Lane Theatre.Revolutions begin in Spain, Portugal and Naples.
The famous ancient Greek statue of the Venus de Milo is rediscovered on the Island of Melos and purchased by the Louvre in Paris.
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