Erasmus Darwin
2 of 8 portraits of Erasmus Darwin
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Erasmus Darwin
by and published by John Raphael Smith, after Joseph Wright
mezzotint, published 1 May 1797
14 7/8 in. x 11 in. (378 mm x 279 mm) plate size; 18 1/8 in. x 13 in. (460 mm x 330 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D34686
Artistsback to top
- John Raphael Smith (1752-1812), Portrait painter, engraver and pastellist. Artist or producer associated with 192 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
- Joseph Wright (1734-1797), Painter, known as 'Wright of Derby'. Artist or producer associated with 18 portraits, Sitter associated with 5 portraits.
Events of 1797back to top
Current affairs
The Anti-Jacobin periodical makes its debut followed by The Anti-Jacobin Review the year after. Edited by William Gifford, it acted as a Tory mouthpiece against the 'New Morality' associated with republicanism.Bank crisis results in the temporary suspension of payments by the Bank of England leading to a nationwide currency shortage.
Art and science
Robert Southey, later Poet Laureate, publishes his collected Poems, exploring contemporary interest in mythology and non-European cultures.Ann Radcliffe publishes her popular gothic novel The Italian. One of the most imaginative novelists of the period, she helped introduce readers to the romantic sense of the supernatural.
International
Battle of Cape St Vincent. Admiral John Jervis leads the fleet which defeat the Spanish.Failure of a small French invasion in Pembrokeshire.
Naval mutinies at Spithead and Nore.
Attack on the Canary Islands in which Rear-Admiral Nelson loses an arm.
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