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Sir Richard Francis Burton

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir Richard Francis Burton

by Carlo Pellegrini
watercolour, published in Vanity Fair 24 October 1885
12 in. x 7 in. (305 mm x 178 mm)
Purchased, 1985
Primary Collection
NPG 5787

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Carlo Pellegrini (1839-1889), 'Ape'; caricaturist. Artist associated with 489 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

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Events of 1885back to top

Current affairs

Redistribution Act; continues Gladstone's extensive package of electoral reform, although his Liberal government is later defeated when the Irish Nationalists, seeking support for Home Rule, side with the Conservatives over a budget measure. The Marquess of Salisbury is invited to form a 'caretaker' government.

Art and science

The Dictionary of National Biography is first published quarterly, under the editorship of Leslie Stephen, and sub-editorship of Sidney Lee. Volume 63 completed the work in 1900. Setting new standards in life writing, the DNB exemplified the form of the brief biography, formalising a style and approach to writing lives, based on Stephen's guiding principles of selection and presentation in 'business-like form'.

International

The death of the famous General Charles Gordon sparks outrage in Britain. Sent to the Sudan to evacuate Egyptian forces from Khartoum, threatened by Sudanese rebels under Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi, Khartoum quickly came under siege, and Gordon is killed and beheaded two days before the relief force arrived. The British public proclaimed Gordon a martyr, and attacked government, particularly Gladstone, for not relieving British forces earlier.

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