Matthew Prior

1 portrait of Matthew Prior

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Matthew Prior

by George Vertue, after Jonathan Richardson
engraving, 1719
14 1/2 in. x 10 1/2 in. (368 mm x 267 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D19242

Sitterback to top

  • Matthew Prior (1664-1721), Poet, Ambassador to France and politician; MP for East Grinstead and Chief Secretary for Ireland. Sitter associated with 26 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Jonathan Richardson (1667-1745), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 126 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.
  • George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist or producer associated with 865 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1719back to top

Current affairs

Spanish invasion of Scotland fails. British forces defeat an alliance of Jacobite and Spanish forces led by George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, amongst others, at the Battle of Glen Shiel.
South Sea Company proposes a scheme under which it will buy more than half of Britain's national debt in exchange for trading concessions.


Art and science

Pugilist James Figg claims to be the first English bare-knuckle boxing champion; a title he will hold until the 1730s.
Eliza Haywood launches her writing career with the best-selling novel Love in Excess, recounting the amorous escapades of the rake Count D'Elmont.
Daniel Defoe publishes his novel Robinson Crusoe.

International

War of the Quadruple Alliance: French army under James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick invades the Basque provinces of Spain but suffers heavy losses due to disease. George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington assists in the taking of Messina and destroys the remaining Spanish fleet.
Prussia conducts Europe's first systematic census.
Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire.

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