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Thomas Wilson

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Thomas Wilson

by George Vertue, after James Fellowes (Fellows)
line engraving, 1726
18 1/4 in. x 11 7/8 in. (462 mm x 303 mm) paper size
acquired unknown source, 1869
Reference Collection
NPG D37037

Sitterback to top

  • Thomas Wilson (1663-1755), Bishop of Sodor and Man. Sitter in 5 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • James Fellowes (Fellows) (active 1710-1751), Painter. Artist associated with 3 portraits.
  • George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist associated with 864 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1726back to top

Current affairs

Mary Toft allegedly gives birth to sixteen rabbits in Godalming Surrey and becomes the subject of considerable controversy, involving the King's own physician Nathaniel St Andre. The story is later revealed to be a hoax.
The Craftsman, a polemical political periodical, is launched by opposition leaders Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke and William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath.

Art and science

St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London is completed to the design of the architect James Gibbs.
Jonathan Swift publishes his bitterly satirical Gulliver's Travels.
Poet Alexander Pope produces an English language translation of Homer's Odyssey.
Poet Allan Ramsay opens the first circulating library in Edinburgh.

International

French writer Voltaire begins an exile in England which lasts three years.
City of Montevideo is founded by the Spanish in Uruguay.

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