Diplomatic smuggling or birth day April fools
1 portrait of George Canning
Diplomatic smuggling or birth day April fools
by William Heath, published by Samuel William Fores
etching, published 27 April 1823
13 7/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (354 mm x 250 mm) plate size
Given by Sir Edward Dillon Lott du Cann, 2015
Reference Collection
NPG D46375
Artistsback to top
- Samuel William Fores (baptised 1761-1838), Printseller and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 119 portraits.
- William Heath (1795-1840), Printmaker and caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 103 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Sittersback to top
- Nicholas Vansittart, Baron Bexley (1766-1851), Conservative politician; Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sitter in 26 portraits. Identify
- George Canning (1770-1827), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 64 portraits. Identify
- King George IV (1762-1830), Regent 1811-19; Reigned 1820-30. Sitter associated with 274 portraits. Identify
- Dudley Ryder, 1st Earl of Harrowby (1762-1847), Statesman. Sitter associated with 15 portraits. Identify
- Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt (1788-1850), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 323 portraits. Identify
- Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), Field Marshal and Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 640 portraits. Identify
Events of 1823back to top
Current affairs
Gaols Act is passed to build new prisons, raise standards in old ones and institute regular inspections. It is prompted by the vigorous campaigning of reformers such as Elizabeth Fry, leader of the Ladies Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners in Newgate Prison.Anti-Slavery Committee is founded in London.
Art and science
Architect, Robert Smirke begins construction of the British Museum.Thomas Wakley founds The Lancet, the first weekly medical journal and important mouthpiece of medical reform.
Charles Babbage begins work on the first calculating machine.
Charles Macintosh invents waterproof fabric.
International
Catholic Association is founded by Daniel O'Connell in Ireland in an attempt to mobilise and politicise the entire Irish Catholic population in a systematic challenge to the ruling Protestant ascendancy.War breaks out between France and Spain.
English missionary John Smith died in prison having been sentenced to be hanged for failing to take up arms against slaves in Demerara.
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