Elizabeth Sharp (née Hopkins) when Miss Hopkins; as Arethusa in Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster'

1 portrait by Joseph Thornthwaite

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Elizabeth Sharp (née Hopkins) when Miss Hopkins; as Arethusa in Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster'

by Joseph Thornthwaite, after James Roberts
line engraving, published 1778
6 5/8 in. x 3 7/8 in. (168 mm x 98 mm)
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D8674

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • James Roberts (1753-in or after 1809), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 54 portraits.
  • Joseph Thornthwaite (about 1754-1798), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 34 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D8673: Elizabeth Sharp (née Hopkins) when Miss Hopkins; as Arethusa in Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster' (from same plate)

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is encouraged by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, who had balked at various prosecutions under the statutes now repealed.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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