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John Horne Tooke

11 of 49 portraits of John Horne Tooke

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Horne Tooke

by Unknown artist
token, 1794
1 1/8 in. (28 mm) diameter
Acquired, before 1995
Reference Collection
NPG D7051

Sitterback to top

  • John Horne Tooke (1736-1812), Radical politician; MP and philologist. Sitter associated with 49 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This political token was designed to show support for the radical politician John Horne Tooke. Tooke campaigned for parliamentary reform and the right to vote being extended to more of the people. The token was produced in 1794 when, amidst fears of a revolution, he was wrongly accused of planning an uprising. Tooke’s trial for high treason resulted in an acquittal, a dramatic victory for the cause of parliamentary reform.

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1794back to top

Current affairs

Treason Trials against John Horne Tooke, Thomas Hardy and John Thelwall take place amidst fears of domestic revolution. Their acquittal marks the most dramatic victory of the cause.
Leader of the Opposition, Charles James Fox's Libel Bill secures the landmark right of trial by jury for the accused.
Thomas Muir and the four other Scottish Martyrs who campaigned for parliamentary reform were transported to Australia for sedition.

Art and science

Edward Jenner discovers the smallpox inoculation after realising that those who worked with cattle and caught cowpox developed immunity.
Drury Lane Theatre re-opens under the management of the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. In competition with the Covent Garden Theatre it featured a new pit and boxes designed by architect Henry Holland.

International

Maximilien Robespierre, member of the French dictatorial Committee of Public Safety is arrested and executed as part of a conspiracy by enemies who disliked his anti-extremist stance and zeal for social reform.
Campaign in the Low Countries under the Duke of York. Allies are defeated and French reoccupy Brussels. British troops retreat to Holland.

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