William Cowper

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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Poet; he studied law at the Temple. Cowper achieved popular success with the publication, in 1785, of a volume of poetry including The Diverting History of John Gilpin, a humorous ballad that became the most popular poem of the decade, and The Task, which condemned slavery. He suffered from severe depression throughout his life, and an early personal and professional crisis led to his conversion to evangelical Christianity, influencing much of his work. Several hymns that he wrote became favourites, including 'God moves in a mysterious way'.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

William Cowper

Date

1792

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 127 x W 101.6 cm

Accession number

2783

Acquisition method

Purchased, 1935

Work type

Painting

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