The Royal Extinguisher, or the King of Brobdingnag & the Lilliputians

1 portrait of Princess Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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The Royal Extinguisher, or the King of Brobdingnag & the Lilliputians

by George Cruikshank, published by George Humphrey
etching, published 7 April 1821
9 7/8 in. x 13 1/2 in. (251 mm x 344 mm) plate size; 11 3/4 in. x 18 7/8 in. (297 mm x 480 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1987
Reference Collection
NPG D17902

Artistsback to top

  • George Cruikshank (1792-1878), Caricaturist and illustrator. Artist or producer associated with 29 portraits, Sitter in 34 portraits.
  • George Humphrey (active 1783-1831), Publisher and printseller; nephew of Hannah Humphrey. Artist or producer associated with 88 portraits, Sitter associated with 1 portrait.

Sittersback to top

Placesback to top

Events of 1821back to top

Current affairs

George IV is crowned at Westminster Abbey on 19 July and Queen Caroline is turned away from the ceremony. Two weeks later she dies reawakening popular sympathy for her cause. Riots break out at her funeral as the Government attempts to reroute the procession to avoid the popular reaction of the mob.

Art and science

Thomas De Quincey publishes Confessions of an English Opium Eater in the London Magazine. A creative commentary on his mental life, it gained instant notoriety.
The Manchester Guardian (later The Guardian) established.
Michael Faraday builds the first electric motor.

International

Napoleon dies.
Revolts in Wallachia and Moldovia against the oppressive rule of the Ottoman Turks. The rebels appeal to Tsar Alexander I for help and the Greek War of Independence begins.

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