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Samuel Wesley

2 of 2 portraits of Samuel Wesley

Samuel Wesley, by William Dickinson, published by J. Walker, after John Russell, published 1778 - NPG D15676 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Samuel Wesley

by William Dickinson, published by J. Walker, after John Russell
mezzotint, published 1778
18 1/4 in. x 13 7/8 in. (465 mm x 353 mm) paper size
Bequeathed by (Frederick) Leverton Harris, 1927
Reference Collection
NPG D15676

Sitterback to top

  • Samuel Wesley (1766-1837), Composer and organist; nephew of John Wesley. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • William Dickinson (1746-1823), Engraver and printseller. Artist associated with 84 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
  • John Russell (1745-1806), Portrait painter and pastellist. Artist associated with 102 portraits, Sitter associated with 6 portraits.
  • J. Walker (active 1782). Artist associated with 4 portraits.

Portrait setback to top

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is encouraged by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, who had balked at various prosecutions under the statutes now repealed.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