Joseph Brotherton

by Samuel William Reynolds Jr
mezzotint, published 1836
14 3/8 in. x 11 in. (366 mm x 278 mm) plate size; 27 1/8 in. x 19 7/8 in. (690 mm x 505 mm) paper size
Given by Hugh Agnew, 1932
Reference Collection
NPG D11172

Sitterback to top

Joseph Brotherton (1783-1857), Bible Christian minister, parliamentary reformer and Liberal politician; MP for Salford. Sitter in 3 portraits.

Artistback to top

Samuel William Reynolds Jr (1794-1872), Mezzotint engraver. Artist associated with 69 portraits.

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

Events of 1836back to top

Current affairs

William Lovett founds the Working Men's Association, the precursor to Chartism, with the aim to achieving equal social and political rights between men of all classes.
A reduction in stamp duty from 4d to 1d helps to keep unstamped newspapers off the street, and leads to wider circulation of legal newspapers.
The first railway line is built in London, connecting to Greenwich and operated by the London Greenwich Railway (LGR).

Art and science

The American poet and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson outlines his theory of transcendentalism in Nature, in which he argues for individualism above traditional authority, stressing the infinitude of the private self and the possibility of achieving an original relation to the universe.
The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer publishes On the Will in Nature, a precursor to his famous The World as Will and Representation.

International

Texas declares its independence from Mexico following a series of battles, including those at the Alamo and Goliad. Sam Houston is the first president of Texas, serving both in 1836-38 and 1841-44.
The city of Adelaide is founded in Australia, at the mouth of the Torrens river, named in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV.

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