Sir Thomas More. Engraved by R. Woodman c1840.

by Holbein, Hans

Antique print of Sir Thomas More (1478-1535). From an Enamel after Holbein in the pofsefsion of Thomas Clarke Esquire. Engraved by Richard Woodman (1784-1859) (engraver and miniature portrait painter) for Portraits illustrative of The Pictorial History of England published in London circa 1840.

Sir Thomas More was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist. He was councillor to Henry VIII and Lord High Chancellor of England from 1529-1532.

The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was established in 1825 with the aim of making good books at low prices available to the working class. Lord Brougham (Henry Peter Brougham) was the main instigator, and became Chairman of the Society, with a very large Committee of eminent people with a wide range of qualifications. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge produced many well-illustrated publications, including Portraits illustrative of The Pictorial History of England in 1840 with the finest examples of illustrative portraiture, by the best engravers.

Page size: 25 x 16cm (9 7/8 x 6 3/8 inches). Engraving measures 125 x 100mm (4 7/8 x 4 inches).