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SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, P.R.A. (1723-1792) SIR GEORGE HOWLAND BEAUMONT Canvas, 25 inches by 30 inches

BUST, face almost in profile, looking to the right, wears a black coat with white scarf around the neck and powdered wig.

Sir George Howland Beaumont (1750-1827), connoisseur, patron of art and landscape painter, was the son of Sir George Beaumont, the sixth Baronet, and Rachel, daughter of Michael Rowland of Stonehall, Dunmow, Essex, where he was born November 6, 1753. He succeeded to the title in 1762 and was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford. In 1778 he married Margaret Willes, daughter of John Willes of Astrop, and granddaughter of Lord Chief Justice Willes. In 1790 he entered Parliament, and was member for Beeralston till 1796. "His social position, wealth and cultivation secured for him a distinguished position as a ruler of taste, and to these qualifications he added much personal attraction, being tall and good-looking, with polished manners and gentle address. In 1800 he began to rebuild Coleorton Hall, where, according to the dedication of Wordsworth to the edition of his poems in 1815, several of that poet's best pieces were composed. Sir George knew Dr. Johnson, and it was under his roof that Sir Walter Scott met Sir Humphry Davy, Samuel Rogers and Lord Byron, who satirised him in 'The Blues.' " He encouraged Coleridge, and helped to secure his pension. He made a collection of works of art, displaying good judgement and taste, and was chiefly instrumental in the formation of the National Gallery, to which he presented to fine Rembrandts, four Claudes, a Rubens, and some others. he died Feb. 7, 1827, aged 74 years.

This portrait, painted in 1787, was exhibited in the Royal Academy of 1788, and many times since in other places.

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