William Pitt The Younger Collection

Political Ravishment, or the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in Danger!, 1797. Artist: Gillray, James (1757-1815)
Political Ravishment, or the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in Danger!, 1797. From a private collection

Smoking club, 18th century artwork. The practice of smoking tobacco was popularised in England and Ireland in the 1580s and 1590s by the English soldier and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (c.1552-1618)

Portrait of William Pitt the Younger. 19th century (chromolithograph)
673036 Portrait of William Pitt the Younger. 19th century (chromolithograph); (add.info.: William Pitt the Younger (28 May 1759 - 23 January 1806)

John Bull Learning a New Movement, published March 21, 1799. Creator: Unknown
John Bull Learning a New Movement, published March 21, 1799....against the next Campaign'. John Bull: Lord love ye my good Masters - do give us something new - I be tired of all the old Jigs - I

John Bull at His Studies, published March 13, 1799. Creator: Unknown
John Bull at His Studies, published March 13, 1799....attended by his Guardian Angell (British prime minister William Pitt: "Cease rude Boreas blustering railer)

A Lock'd Jaw for John Bull, published November 23, 1795. Creator: Unknown
A Lock'd Jaw for John Bull, published November 23, 1795. British prime minister William Pitt: Don't be alarmed Johnny

A Modern Hercules, published November 17, 1795. Creator: Unknown
A Modern Hercules, published November 17, 1795....Or, a Finishing Blow for Poor John Bull'. British prime minister William Pitt, brandishing a club inscribed Convention Bill

Going to Open the Budget, 1796. Creator: Unknown
Going to Open the Budget, 1796. British prime minister William Pitt, having descended from his coach, walks towards the door of the House of Commons, a small empty bag in his right hand

An Enquiry Concerning the Clock Tax, 1797. Creator: Charles Ansell
An Enquiry Concerning the Clock Tax, 1797. British Prime Minister William Pitt writes with a tax pen'; on his list are Shoe Strings, Knee Strings, Hair Strings'

Dr. Sangrado Relieving John Bull of Yellow Fever, published February 25, 1795. Creator: Isaac Cruikshank
Dr. Sangrado Relieving John Bull of Yellow Fever, published February 25, 1795

An Irish Union!, published January 30, 1799. Creator: Isaac Cruikshank
An Irish Union!, published January 30, 1799

John Bull Humbugg'd Alias both Ear'd, published May 12, 1794. Creator: Isaac Cruikshank
John Bull Humbugg'd Alias both Ear'd, published May 12, 1794

The Rival Pigs, published June 15, 1795. Creator: Isaac Cruikshank
The Rival Pigs, published June 15, 1795

William Pitt, the Younger, Addressing the Commons, 1793, (1947). Creator: Anton Hickel
William Pitt, the Younger, Addressing the Commons, 1793, (1947). Session of parliament in the Palace of Westminster, London. Prime Minister William Pitt is on his feet

Income Tax, 1798. John Bull scratches his head at William Pitts (1759-1806) introduction of Income Tax. Pitt is shown as an angel playing a harp. Hand-coloured cartoon in the style of Gillray

William Pitt the Younger addressing the House of Commons, 1793. Detail of a picture by Anton Hickel
878604 William Pitt the Younger addressing the House of Commons, 1793. Detail of a picture by Anton Hickel. William Pitt the Younger, 1759 -1806. British politician and Prime Minister

William Pitt the Younger, 18th century (painting)
3733666 William Pitt the Younger, 18th century (painting) by Lawrence, Thomas (1769-1830); (add.info.: Portrait of William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806)

Cicero in Catilinam, March 17, 1785. Creator: James Sayers
Cicero in Catilinam, March 17, 1785

The Bombardment of All the Thrones of Europe and the Fall of the Tyrants for the Happi... ca. 1792. Creator: Anon
The Bombardment of All the Thrones of Europe and the Fall of the Tyrants for the Happiness of the Universe (Bombardement de Tous les Trones de l Europe et la Chute des Tyrans pour la Bonheur de l)

French Revolutionary Wars, 1792-1802 (colour litho)
5207758 French Revolutionary Wars, 1792-1802 (colour litho) by Girard, Joseph (fl.1930-50); Private Collection; (add.info.: French Revolutionary Wars, 1792-1802)

A Tete aTete Conversation on Recent Events, published April 19, 1805
A Tete a Tete Conversation on Recent Events, published April 19, 1805

The Honors of the Sitting, published January 30, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams
The Honors of the Sitting, published January 30, 1805

The Ex-Minister and the Meteor, published April 13, 1804. Creator: Charles Williams
The Ex-Minister and the Meteor, published April 13, 1804

The Honeymoon, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams
The Honeymoon, 1806

A Charm for a Democracy, Reviewed, Analysed, & Destroyed Jan 1 1799 to the Confusion of its Affiliated Friends, January 1, 1799

The Pitt Fall, January 1789. Creator: Frederick George Byron
The Pitt Fall, January 1789. Formerly attributed to Thomas Rowlandson

The Rival Queens or a Political Heat for Rege and Grege, 1789 (hand-coloured engraving)
2562137 The Rival Queens or a Political Heat for Rege and Grege, 1789 (hand-coloured engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Popular Indignation (coloured engraving)
818661 Popular Indignation (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Popular Indignation or John Bull in a Rage)

The Arms and Supporters of a Debating Society, 1798 (hand-coloured etching)
2562211 The Arms and Supporters of a Debating Society, 1798 (hand-coloured etching) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles James Fox (1749 - 1806), left

William Pitt the Younger (engraving)
979442 William Pitt the Younger (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), British politician and Prime Minister

The Tombs of Statesmen in Westminster Abbey (b / w photo)
1615633 The Tombs of Statesmen in Westminster Abbey (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Tombs of Statesmen in Westminster Abbey)

His Majesty and Officers of State Receiving the Turkish Ambassador and Suit
NP125590 His Majesty and Officers of State Receiving the Turkish Ambassador and Suit, engraved by Daniel Orme (1767-p.1832), pub

Pitt drilling militia at Walmer Castle in 1803 (engraving)
726097 Pitt drilling militia at Walmer Castle in 1803 (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pitt drilling militia at Walmer Castle in 1803)

The Russian Bear and her Invincible Rider Encountering the British Legion
2562142 The Russian Bear and her Invincible Rider Encountering the British Legion, 1791 (hand-coloured etching) by English School

The Right Honourable William Pitt Esquire, one of His Majestys principal Secretaries of State (engraving)
964925 The Right Honourable William Pitt Esquire, one of His Majestys principal Secretaries of State (engraving) by English School

The Right Hon William Pitt the younger (engraving)
2905927 The Right Hon William Pitt the younger (engraving) by Dupont, Gainsborough (1754-97) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Right Hon William Pitt the younger)

Master Billys Procession to Grocers Hall; Political satire on the procession of William Pitt the Younger to Grocers
6032183 Master Billys Procession to Grocers Hall; Political satire on the procession of William Pitt the Younger to Grocers Hall to receive the freedom of the City of London

Two Pair of Portraits: anti-Whig cartoon depicting John Henry Tooke with portraits of Charles James Fox personifying
5997523 Two Pair of Portraits: anti-Whig cartoon depicting John Henry Tooke with portraits of Charles James Fox personifying vice and William Pitt the Younger representing virtue

The House of Commons in 1793, Mr Pitt addressing the House (engraving)
1614482 The House of Commons in 1793, Mr Pitt addressing the House (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The House of Commons in 1793)

Frontispiece to the 2nd Edition of Lord St[anhop]es Observations on Mr. Pitts Plan of Finance, May 29, 1786

British Tars Towing the Danish Fleet into Harbour; the Broad-Bottom Leviathan trying Billys Old Boat, and the Little Corsican tottering on the Clouds of Ambition, October 1, 1807

The Bottomless-Pitt, March 16, 1792. Creator: James Gillray
The Bottomless-Pitt, March 16, 1792

Uncorking Old Sherry, March 10, 1805. Creator: James Gillray
Uncorking Old Sherry, March 10, 1805

Portrait of a Man, Seated in Front of a Writing Desk, 1795-1800. Creator: Henry Edridge
Portrait of a Man, Seated in Front of a Writing Desk, 1795-1800. Inscription on verso identifies the sitter as Henry Duncombe (1728-1818), a Yorkshire gentleman who entered Parliament in 1780

A New Speaker and The Wedding Night, February 7, 1789. February 7, 1789
A New Speaker and The Wedding Night, February 7, 1789

The Modern Egbert, or The King of Kings, January 8, 1789. January 8, 1789
The Modern Egbert, or The King of Kings, January 8, 1789

Suitable Restrictions, January 28, 1789. January 28, 1789. Creator: Thomas Rowlandson
Suitable Restrictions, January 28, 1789

The Q. A. Loaded With The Spoils of India and Britain, 1788. 1788
The Q.A. Loaded With The Spoils of India and Britain, 1788

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William Pitt the Younger was a prominent British politician and Prime Minister during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Known for his eloquence and political prowess, he played a significant role in shaping Britain's history. In James Gillray's satirical artwork "Political Ravishment, or the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in Danger. " we see Pitt depicted as a powerful figure, navigating through treacherous waters to protect the nation's economy. This portrayal highlights his determination and commitment to safeguarding Britain's financial stability. Another artwork by Anton Hickel captures William Pitt addressing the House of Commons in 1793. The detail showcased here emphasizes his commanding presence as he delivers speeches that would shape national policies, and is evident that Pitt possessed exceptional oratory skills, which enabled him to effectively communicate with both colleagues and constituents alike. Pitt's influence extended beyond domestic affairs; he also implemented significant reforms such as the introduction of income tax in 1798. This measure aimed at financing Britain's involvement in various conflicts, including the French Revolutionary Wars from 1792-1802. These wars were captured vividly in colorful lithographs depicting intense battles fought across Europe. While being an influential statesman, Pitt had moments of relaxation too. In one painting portraying an exclusive smoking club from the 18th century, we catch a glimpse of his more casual side—a reminder that even great leaders need leisure time. Throughout his career, Pitt faced numerous challenges but remained steadfast in pursuing what he believed was best for Britain. His dedication earned him respect among peers and adversaries alike. However, not all depictions were flattering; Charles Williams' satirical pieces like "The Honors of Sitting" and "The Ex-Minister and the Meteor" poke fun at some aspects of his political career. Despite these caricatures, William Pitt left an indelible mark on British politics with his intelligence, strategic thinking, and commitment to public service.