Sir William Thomson
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Sir William Thomson
by and published by John Faber Jr, after Isaac Seeman
mezzotint, 1739
13 7/8 in. x 10 in. (353 mm x 253 mm) plate size; 14 1/4 in. x 10 3/8 in. (363 mm x 262 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1952
Reference Collection
NPG D40445
Artistsback to top
- John Faber Jr (circa 1695-1756), Engraver and portrait and miniature painter. Artist or producer associated with 818 portraits.
- Isaac Seeman (died 1751), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 9 portraits.
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (Golden Head, Bloomsbury Square, London)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1739back to top
Current affairs
Foundling Hospital is established in London by sea-captain Thomas Coram, with William Hogarth as a founding governor.John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, begins his campaign of outdoor preaching, which he continues until his death in 1791.
'Great Frost': an unusually harsh winter in southern England.
Art and science
Philosopher David Hume anonymously publishes his Treatise of Human Nature, in which he applies the principles of experimental science to the human mind.International
War of Jenkin's Ear: Convention of Pardo is held to settle differences with Spain, but Prime Minister Robert Walpole is forced to declare hostilities. At the Battle of Porto Bello, British forces under Admiral Edward Vernon capture the Panamanian town of Porto Bello from the Spanish.Persian ruler Nadir Shah enters Delhi and removes much of the accumulated treasure of the Mughal empire.
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