William Hayley

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William Hayley

by Johann Jacobé, after George Romney
mezzotint, 1779
14 3/4 in. x 10 3/4 in. (375 mm x 274 mm) plate size; 19 3/4 in. x 15 7/8 in. (503 mm x 402 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D10879

Sitterback to top

  • William Hayley (1745-1820), Poet and biographer. Sitter in 6 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Johann Jacobé (1733-1797), Printmaker. Artist or producer associated with 8 portraits.
  • George Romney (1734-1802), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 169 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1779back to top

Current affairs

Admiral Augustus Keppel, First Lord of the Admiralty during the final years of the American War of Independence is tried and acquitted at court martial of misconduct at the Battle of Ushant the previous year. His case becomes a cause célèbre.
Botanist Joseph Banks tells a committee of the House of Commons that the east coast of Australia is suitable for the transportation of convicted felons.
Penitentiary Act authorises state prisons.

Art and science

Swiss artist Henry Fuseli settles in London after nine years in Rome. Painter and President of the Royal Academy Joshua Reynolds' celebrated Discourses on art are published as a book.
World's first iron bridge is assembled across the Severn at Coalbrookdale.Inventor Samuel Crompton introduces the Spinning Mule.
John Newton and William Cowper's Olney Hymns is published, containing the first printed version of Amazing Grace.

International

American War of Independence: Spain, in alliance with France and the US, declares war on Britain. Great Siege of Gibraltar begins, in which French and Spanish forces try to wrest power from the established British Garrison, under the leadership of General George Augustus Eliot.
Captain James Cook is killed in a skirmish with natives on the Sandwich Islands on his third and final voyage.

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