James Stephen
3 of 6 portraits by William Thomson
© National Portrait Gallery, London
James Stephen
by and published by William Dickinson, after William Thomson
mezzotint, published 1 March 1771
13 7/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (351 mm x 250 mm) plate size; 14 1/8 in. x 10 1/8 in. (359 mm x 257 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1961
Reference Collection
NPG D42122
Artistsback to top
- William Dickinson (1746-1823), Engraver and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 85 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
- William Thomson (circa 1730-1800), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 6 portraits.
Events of 1771back to top
Current affairs
Artist Benjamin West exhibits his celebrated modern history painting The Death of Wolfe at the Royal Academy, commemorating the death of General James Wolfe at the 1759 Battle of Quebec during the Seven Years' War. The painting creates a sensation and George III commissions a copy.Reporting of parliamentary debates is permitted.
Art and science
Richard Arkwright begins to develop cotton mills at Cromford in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire; one of the earliest factory complexes.Botanist James Robertson makes the first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis.
Encyclopedia Britannica is completed with 2,931 pages.
First recorded cricket match is played in Horsham, West Sussex.
International
First voyage of James Cook ends. HMS Endeavour anchors in the port of Deal, Kent following its three-year global circumnavigation.Spain cedes the Falkland Islands to Britain.
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