Lot Essay
The sitter, born in Yorkshire in 1746, was the elder son of Cyril Jackson, illustrious physician, and Judith Prescot. Jackson matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, and subsequently took holy orders, preaching at Lincoln's Inn from 1779 until 1783. He was created canon of Christ Church and in 1783 he became Dean, during which time he achieved considerable fame. He retired in 1809 to the Manor House in Sussex, where he died in 1819. A portrait of him by William Owen hangs in Christ Church hall, and a statue was created for the cathedral after this portrait by Francis Chantrey, paid for by his admiring former pupils.