11 OF 14

Thomas Gray

11 of 14 portraits of Thomas Gray

Thomas Gray

by William Doughty, after William Mason
etching, published 1778
Reference Collection
NPG D2801

Sitterback to top

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

Artistsback to top

William Doughty (1757-1781 or 1782), Portrait painter and mezzotinter. Artist associated with 13 portraits, Sitter associated with 2 portraits.
William Mason (1725-1797), Poet and divine; friend and biographer of Thomas Gray. Artist associated with 9 portraits, Sitter associated with 10 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D2802: Thomas Gray (from same plate)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1778back to top

Current affairs

Catholic Relief Act is the first to provide a measure of catholic emancipation, modifying the penal laws that effectively prevented Catholics from holding public office. The reform is encouraged by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, who had balked at various prosecutions under the statutes now repealed.

Art and science

Francis D'Arblay, writing as Fanny Burney, publishes her novel Evelina, or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, in which she satirises contemporary society.
Engineer Joseph Bramah invents a type of flush toilet, replacing the usual slide valve with a hinged flap that seals the bottom of the bowl.

International

American War of Independence: France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic. The British rapidly abandon Philadelphia. The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain.
James Cook's third Pacific voyage, aboard the ships HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery, first views Oahu then Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, which Cook names the Sandwich Islands.

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