13 OF 14

Thomas Gray

13 of 14 portraits of Thomas Gray

Thomas Gray

by John Raphael Smith
stipple engraving, circa 1781-1802
5 7/8 in. x 4 3/8 in. (149 mm x 112 mm) plate size; 9 1/2 in. x 6 1/8 in. (241 mm x 154 mm) paper size
Given by Nicholas Callow, 2016
Reference Collection
NPG D47449

Sitterback to top

Thomas Gray (1716-1771), Classical scholar and poet. Sitter in 14 portraits.

Artistback to top

John Raphael Smith (1752-1812), Portrait painter, engraver and pastellist. Artist associated with 186 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Subject/Themeback to top

In profile

Events of 1781back to top

Current affairs

American painter John Singleton Copley, now resident in London, completes his celebrated painting The Death of the Earl of Chatham, depicting the collapse of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham on 7 April 1778, during a debate in the House of Lords on the American War of Independence.
William Pitt the Younger, later Prime Minister, enters Parliament.

Art and science

Astronomer William Herschel discovers Uranus, the first planet to be found by means of a telescope, and names it Georgium Sidus (George's Star) in honour of George III.
Artist and theatre designer Philip James De Loutherbourg presents his innovative miniature mechanical theatre, the Eidophusikon, at his house in Soho, London.

International

American War of Independence: British general Charles Cornwallis is forced to surrender at Yorktown. Maryland ratifies the Articles of Confederation - the last state to do so - completing 'the Confederation of the United States'.
Zong Massacre: 133 Africans are thrown overboard the slave ship Zong on the orders of a British slave-trader who then attempts to reclaim their value from insurers. The case becomes a landmark in the fight for abolition.

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