Benjamin Robert Haydon was an English painter and writer, a mediocre artist but a fascinating personality. Inspired by Reynolds’s Discourses, he aimed to bring a new seriousness to British art by producing historical and religious work in the Grand Manner and through them to educate and improve public taste. His life, which was punctuated by […]
Georgian England
The eighteenth century was a time of great transformation for England. This period in history was marked by significant political, social, and cultural changes that forever altered the course of the country. From the War of Spanish Succession to the Industrial Revolution.
The Georgian Era is named after the four English monarchs of the House of Hanover who ruled during this time: George I, George II, George III, and George IV. This period was marked by economic prosperity, social reform, and scientific discovery.
Some of the most famous people who lived during the Georgian Era include: Isaac Newton, JMW Turner and Jonathan Swift. These men helped shape England into the country it is today.
The eighteenth century was truly a golden age for England. This period in history set the stage for the country's transformation into a world power. It is an important time in English history that should not be forgotten.
Some of the key events of the Georgian Era include:
-The War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) -This conflict was fought between France and Spain, with England and Austria as allies of France. The war ended with the Treaty of Utrecht, which recognized the throne of Spain for the Bourbon dynasty.
-The Jacobite Rebellion (1715-1746) -This was a series of uprisings in Scotland and England aimed at restoring the Stuart dynasty to the British throne. The rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful.
-The Seven Years War (1756-1763) -This conflict was fought between England and France, with Prussia and Austria as allies of England. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the French colony of Canada as a British possession.
-The Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) -This period saw a dramatic increase in production thanks to new technologies such as the steam engine. This led to a massive expansion in manufacturing and commerce and new scientific discovery.
-The American Revolution (1775-1783) -This conflict was fought between England and its colonies in North America, culminating in the creation of the United States of America.
-The French Revolution (1789-1799) -This revolution began with the storming of the Bastille and ended with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was a time of great upheaval and turmoil in France.
-The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) -This conflict was fought between England, France, and their allies. It culminated in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
These are just some of the key events that shaped England during the Georgian Era.
John Metcalf (1717-1810)
Usually known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough, John Metcalf was the first professional road builder to emerge during the Industrial Revolution. Born on 15th August 1717, the son of a horse breeder, he lost his sight at the age of six after contracting smallpox. He learned to play the fiddle at an early age, and […]
William Stukeley (1697-1765)
William Stukeley was an English antiquary and one of the founders of field archaeology, who pioneered the investigation of Stonehenge. William Stukeley was born on the 7th November 1697 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, the son of a lawyer. He studied classics, theology and science at Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, going on to study Medicine at St. […]
Edward Jenner (1749 – 1823)
In 1796, Edward Jenner made an incredible discovery that would change the course of human history. He found that cowpox – a virus that infected cows – could protect people from smallpox, a deadly disease that killed millions of people each year. Jenner’s discovery led to the development of one of the most successful vaccines […]
John Constable: The Man and His Work
John Constable was one of England’s most influential and talented landscape painters of the 19th century John Constable is today recognised as the major English landscape painter of the 19th century, matched only by his contemporary, J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851). But for all that, he was not particularly successful, either critically or financially, during his lifetime. Born in […]
J. M. W. Turner (1775-1851)
England’s greatest artist and one of the finest and most original landscape painters of all time Joseph Mallord William Turner was an English Romantic landscape painter, famed for his vivid treatment of natural light effects in land and marine subjects. Yet despite his success he led a secretive life and shunned public attention. The son […]
William Pitt (The Younger)
William Pitt (known as Pitt the Younger) was the second son of William Pitt, earl of Chatham. He was an intellectually precocious if delicate boy, educated privately and at Cambridge. From a young age his father took charge of his upbringing, encouraging his son’s obvious skill at public speaking. He also introduced him to politics […]
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the most famous and celebrated engineers of all time. He was responsible for some of the most impressive feats of engineering in history, and his work has had a lasting impact on the modern world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and achievements […]
Robert Walpole
Sir Robert Walpole is considered to be the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He served as Prime Minister for 21 years, from 1721 until he retired in 1742. Walpole is often credited with helping to create the modern government system. He was a talented politician and administrator and is considered to be one […]
George Stephenson
George Stephenson was a highly influential railway engineer and inventor of the ‘Rocket’, one of the most famous early railway locomotives. He helped to pioneer the use of steam locomotion on railways, and his work revolutionized transportation. George Stephenson was born on 9 June 1781 in Wylam, Northumberland. His father was an engineman at a […]