Mark Akenside

by James White, after Arthur Pond
stipple engraving, (1754)
10 in. x 6 1/2 in. (253 mm x 165 mm) plate size; 17 3/8 in. x 11 3/4 in. (441 mm x 297 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D7301

Sitterback to top

Mark Akenside (1721-1770), Poet and physician. Sitter in 4 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Arthur Pond (1701-1758), Painter and engraver. Artist associated with 33 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
James White, Engraver. Artist associated with 1 portrait.

Portrait setback to top

Macdonnell Collection

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1754back to top

Current affairs

Death of the Prime Minister Henry Pelham. He is succeeded by his brother Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle.
General election increases the Whig party's majority

Art and science

Scottish chemist Joseph Black identifies carbon dioxide.
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce (Society of Arts) is established in London.
Designer and cabinet-maker Thomas Chippendale publishes his first catalogue of furniture.
Philosopher David Hume's expansive and best-selling six-volume History of Great Britain begins publication.

International

Albany Congress: the British colonies negotiate with the native-American Iroquois in the face of the French threat in the Ohio valley. Benjamin Franklin proposes that the colonies should unite to form a colonial government. The pro-union woodcut he publishes of a snake cut into eight pieces, entitled 'Join or Die', becomes America's first political cartoon.
George Washington kills ten French troops at Fort Duquesne.

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