Lot 94: John Partridge (1790-1872)

Portrait of Sir Robert Harry Inglis (1786-1855), of Milson Bryan, Bedford, half-length, seated, in a black coat, holding a letter
with inscription 'SIR ROBERT HARRY INGLIS,/Bart,/M.P.for Univ y of Oxford,/b.1786.d. 1855.' (lower left) and inscribed 'Partridge' (lower right)
oil on canvas
36 x 29 in. (91.4 x 73.8 cm.)

Sir Robert Harry Inglis was educated first at Winchester College and then at Christ Church, Oxford. Early on in his career he travelled extensively and cultivated his interest in literature, history and science. In 1824 he was elected Minister of Parliament for Dundalk for two years, and from 1826 to 1828 he served as Minister of Parliament for Ripon. In 1829 he was elected to the Oxford University seat, which cemented his political career, and he continued to represent the constituency until he retired in 1854.

A staunch Anglican, Inglis's religious convictions were a pivotal influence throughout his career. Defending the Protestant church dominated his political life; his exacting moral standards drove him to condemn the foreign slave trade in 1838.

His early interest in the arts was reflected in his appointment in 1834 as a trustee of the British Museum and in 1850 he was elected Professor of Antiquity at the Royal Academy.

Inglis was made a Director of the Phoenix Assurance Company in 1851.

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