Lot Essay
John Wilkes (1727-1797) was a notorious liberal and adventurer who was elected M.P. for Aylesbury in 1757; his published criticism of the King's Speech and the then Government lead to the Secretary of State calling for his arrest; his subsequent release was greeted with rejoicing by the populace. His satire, Essay on Woman (based on Pope's Essay on Man) was declared to be libellous by the House of Lords; Wilkes fled to the Continent, returning in 1768 to serve out his prison sentence. While in jail he repeatedly stood for election to the House of Commons and was elected three times only to have the election nullified on each occasion; however, on release, he was eventually successfully elected first Alderman and then Mayor of London. He was, finally, re-elected as M.P. His later opposition to popular riots somewhat denigrated his reputation as a radical liberal. General Sir Henry Seymour Conway (1721-95) supported Wilkes in the Commons and was rewarded with dismissal from his position of Gentleman of the Royal Bedchamber and the loss of his military command. Subsequently he once again found favour and was made Baron Camden in 1786.
See Peter Bradshaw, Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848 (1990) pp. 89-91.
See Peter Bradshaw, Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848 (1990) pp. 89-91.