Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire
1 of 3 portraits by Maria Louisa Catherine Cecilia Cosway (née Hadfield)
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire
by Valentine Green, after Maria Louisa Catherine Cecilia Cosway (née Hadfield)
mezzotint, published 1783
24 7/8 in. x 15 1/8 in. (631 mm x 385 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D21300
Sitterback to top
- Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806), Beauty and leader of Whig society; first wife of 5th Duke of Devonshire. Sitter in 32 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Maria Louisa Catherine Cecilia Cosway (née Hadfield) (1760-1838), Miniature painter; pioneer of girls' education. Artist or producer associated with 3 portraits, Sitter associated with 7 portraits.
- Valentine Green (1739-1813), Mezzotint engraver. Artist or producer associated with 150 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
Events of 1783back to top
Current affairs
William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne resigns as Prime Minister over the proposed peace terms with the United States. Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford briefly forms a government with Charles James Fox in April but is succeeded by a government under William Pitt the Younger who, at the age of 24 becomes the youngest British Prime Minister ever to take office.The highwayman John Austin is the last person to be publicly executed at Tyburn.
Art and science
Physician and natural philosopher Erasmus Darwin begins publication of A System of Vegetables, a translation from Latin of the work of Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in which he coins many common English names of plants.International
Defeat of Charles James Fox's India Bill in the House of Lords which aimed to assist ailing British East India Company.American War of Independence: Treaty of Paris is signed by Britain, France, Spain and the United States, under which the British government recognises US independence. Britain begins to evacuate loyalists and the last British troops leave New York City three months later.
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