Vitrines

George Paston [Symonds], Social Caricature in the Eighteenth Century. London: Methuen, 1905. Special DA 485 SZ28

This work contains 213 reproductions by some of the best caricaturists in the eighteenth century: James Gillray, Thomas Rowlandson, William Hogarth. The subject areas range from the 'beau monde', and 'dramatic and musical', to 'literary and artistic' and 'Royalty'.

Campaigns of Field Marshall His Grace, The Most Noble Arthur, Duke of Wellington. Paris: Printed by Didot Sr. for Galignani, [1818]. Special DA 68.12 W4 C535; Barry E. O’Meara, Napoleon in Exile. London: Printed for W. Simpkin and R. Marshall, 1822. Special DC 211 OJ3 1822

Sir Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, and Napoleon Bonaparte were born in 1769, one in Ireland; the other in Corsica. It was the Peninsular War that confirmed Wellington's military reputation, and in March 1815, he was made commander-in-chief of the British forces, assembling an allied army to defeat Napoleon. Aiding the successful recapture of the city of Toulon advanced Napoleon through the ranks to First Consul and then Emperor of France (1804). The Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815) signalled the end of an era. 'The Iron Duke' was lauded through the streets of London; Napoleon ended his days in exile on St Helena.

Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language. 2 vols. London: Printed by W. Strahan for J. and P. Knapton, and seven others, 1755; Times Books facsimile, 1979. Special PE 1620 JP4 1979

'A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.' This definition of 'oats' by Dr Johnson is well known, as is his definition of a lexicographer: 'A writer of dictionaries; a harmless drudge.' Johnson's 20 lb two-volume compilation contains more than 42,000 entries. It is rich with his prejudices: a 'sonata' is described as 'a tune'; he loathed financial speculation, thus a 'stockjobber' (or stockbroker) was defined as 'a low wretch who gets money by buying and selling shares.' Johnson's Dictionary (1755) has been called 'the most important British cultural event of the eighteenth century' (Henry Hitchings).

Mary Webster, Hogarth. London: Studio Vista, 1979. Central ND 497 H7 WC24; Martin Postle (ed.), Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Creation of Celebrity. London: Tate Publishing, 2005. Central ND 497 R4 A4 2005; Michael Rosenthal and Martin Myrone (eds.), Thomas Gainsborough 1727-1788. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2002. Central ND 497 G2 A4 2002

William Hogarth portrayed the rising middle class with all their foibles, follies, and pre-occupations. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) was founding President of the Royal Academy, and architect of the fame and reputation of many society individuals. Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) painted naturalistic landscapes and society portraits.