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'Lilliputian-substitutes, equiping for public service'

2 of 3 portraits of Sylvester Douglas, Baron Glenbervie

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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'Lilliputian-substitutes, equiping for public service'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 28 May 1801
9 3/4 in. x 14 in. (248 mm x 356 mm) plate size; 10 3/8 in. x 14 5/8 in. (262 mm x 372 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12763

Artistsback to top

  • James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist associated with 881 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
  • Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist associated with 719 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Sittersback to top

Placesback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1801back to top

Current affairs

Wlliam Pitt and Lord Castlereagh both resign over the King's refusal to permit the introduction of Catholic emancipation. Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth succeeds Pitt as Prime Minister.
Census records 9 million people living in England and Wales, 5.2 million in Ireland and 1.6 million in Scotland.

Art and science

Radical writer, Amelia Opie publishes her best known novel The Father and the Daughter. Said to have reduced Walter Scott to tears, it went on to enjoy success as an opera and a play.

International

Other members of the First Coalition fighting France with Britain agree to a humiliating peace treaty and Britain fights on alone.
A successful campaign is fought against the French army marooned in Egypt. General Sir Ralph Abercromby leads the troops but is killed in action.
Thomas Jefferson is elected President of the United States.

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