Charles William Bigge

by William Ward, published by James Anthony Molteno, after Colvin Smith
mezzotint, published 12 August 1836
15 3/8 in. x 10 7/8 in. (391 mm x 277 mm) plate size; 22 3/8 in. x 15 7/8 in. (569 mm x 402 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1950
Reference Collection
NPG D31763

Sitterback to top

Charles William Bigge (1773-1849), Landowner. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistsback to top

James Anthony Molteno (active 1817-1846), Publisher. Artist associated with 12 portraits.
Colvin Smith (1796-1875), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 15 portraits.
William Ward (1766-1826), Engraver; father of William James Ward. Artist associated with 167 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D31762: Charles William Bigge (from same plate)

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (20 Pall Mall, London)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1836back to top

Current affairs

William Lovett founds the Working Men's Association, the precursor to Chartism, with the aim to achieving equal social and political rights between men of all classes.
A reduction in stamp duty from 4d to 1d helps to keep unstamped newspapers off the street, and leads to wider circulation of legal newspapers.
The first railway line is built in London, connecting to Greenwich and operated by the London Greenwich Railway (LGR).

Art and science

The American poet and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson outlines his theory of transcendentalism in Nature, in which he argues for individualism above traditional authority, stressing the infinitude of the private self and the possibility of achieving an original relation to the universe.
The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer publishes On the Will in Nature, a precursor to his famous The World as Will and Representation.

International

Texas declares its independence from Mexico following a series of battles, including those at the Alamo and Goliad. Sam Houston is the first president of Texas, serving both in 1836-38 and 1841-44.
The city of Adelaide is founded in Australia, at the mouth of the Torrens river, named in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV.

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