John Playfair

by R. Cooper, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Sir Henry Raeburn
stipple engraving, published 1 April 1816
15 1/4 in. x 12 5/8 in. (388 mm x 320 mm) plate size; 19 5/8 in. x 13 1/2 in. (499 mm x 342 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D40267

Sitterback to top

John Playfair (1748-1819), Mathematician and geologist. Sitter in 9 portraits.

Artistsback to top

T. Cadell & W. Davies (active 1795-1817), Publishers. Artist associated with 236 portraits.
R. Cooper (active 1825). Artist associated with 57 portraits.
Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 75 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D5531: John Playfair (from same plate)
NPG D40266: John Playfair (from same plate)

Events of 1816back to top

Current affairs

Marriage of Princess Charlotte to Leopold I.
Income Tax abolished.
Unsuccessful Spa Fields Riot led by the ultra-radical Arthur Thistlewood which aimed to attack the Tower of London and the Bank of England and set up a ruling 'Committee of Public Safety' following the French model.

Art and science

Jane Austen publishes Emma.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal completed.

International

British Government buys the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Acropolis in Athens by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, and brought to England between 1803 and 1812. Their acquisition prompts support from Thomas Lawrence and Benjamin Robert Haydon and condemnation from Lord Byron.
Slave rebellion fails in Barbados; four hundred slaves are executed.

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