William Powell
1 portrait by John Dixon
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Powell
by John Dixon, after Thomas Lawranson
mezzotint, published 1769
12 3/4 in. x 8 7/8 in. (324 mm x 227 mm) paper size
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D20221
Artistsback to top
- John Dixon (circa 1740-1811), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 47 portraits.
- Thomas Lawranson (died circa 1777), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 7 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Related worksback to top
Events of 1769back to top
Current affairs
Radical John Wilkes is expelled from Parliament once again, on the grounds that he was an outlaw when he was voted in. He is re-elected by his Middlesex constituents, then expelled and re-elected twice more, until Parliament declares his opponent, Henry Luttrell, the winner.First of 69 anonymous Letters of Junius appears in the Public Advertiser, exposing political corruption. The politician Sir Philip Francis is now believed to have been responsible.
Art and science
Josiah Wedgwood opens his Etruria Works for the manufacture of pottery.Inventor Richard Arkwright patents a spinning frame able to weave fabric mechanically.
Gordon's London Dry Gin is produced for the first time.
First Royal Academy exhibition is held.
Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage is first published.
International
Captain Cook observes the transit of Venus in Tahiti while his passengers, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, collect valuable specimens of Pacific flora. The expedition travels on to New Zealand where Cook begins charting the country's entire coastline.Treaty of Madras ends the First Anglo-Mysore War but fails to settle dispute.
French inventor Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot tests a steam wagon, probably the first working mechanical vehicle.
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