11 OF 16 
Sir John Fielding
11 of 16 portraits by Matthew William Peters
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Sir John Fielding
by and published by William Dickinson, and published by Thomas Watson, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 12 November 1778
19 3/4 in. x 13 7/8 in. (502 mm x 351 mm) plate size; 22 3/8 in. x 16 3/8 in. (567 mm x 416 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1868
Reference Collection
NPG D36918
Sitterback to top
- Sir John Fielding (1721-1780), Magistrate and social reformer. Sitter in 10 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- William Dickinson (1746-1823), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 85 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
- Matthew William Peters (1742-1814), Painter and Chaplain to the Prince Regent. Artist or producer associated with 16 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
- Thomas Watson (1750-1781), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 58 portraits.
Events of 1778back to top
Current affairs
Catholic Relief Act is the first to provide a measure of catholic emancipation, modifying the penal laws that effectively prevented Catholics from holding public office. The reform is encouraged by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, who had balked at various prosecutions under the statutes now repealed.Art and science
Francis D'Arblay, writing as Fanny Burney, publishes her novel Evelina, or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, in which she satirises contemporary society.Engineer Joseph Bramah invents a type of flush toilet, replacing the usual slide valve with a hinged flap that seals the bottom of the bowl.
International
American War of Independence: France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic. The British rapidly abandon Philadelphia. The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain.James Cook's third Pacific voyage, aboard the ships HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery, first views Oahu then Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, which Cook names the Sandwich Islands.
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