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John Randolph

John Randolph
Artist
John Wesley Jarvis, 1780 - 14 Jan 1840
Sitter
John Randolph, 2 Jun 1773 - 24 May 1833
Date
1811
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on wood
Dimensions
Panel: 68.6 x 55.6 x 1.3cm (27 x 21 7/8 x 1/2")
Frame: 89.9 x 77.2 x 7.6cm (35 3/8 x 30 3/8 x 3")
Topic
John Randolph: Male
John Randolph: Politics and Government\Diplomat
John Randolph: Politics and Government\US Senator\Virginia
John Randolph: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Virginia
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mrs. Gerard B. Lambert
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.70.46
Exhibition Label
Born Cawsons, Prince George County, Virginia
Congressman John Randolph, who was born to an elite Virginia family and traced his ancestry to Pocahontas and John Rolfe, was a stalwart advocate for states’ rights. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1799, he opposed the War of 1812 (1812–15), regarding the conflict with Britain and its allies as foolhardy and driven by land hunger rather than as a defense of U.S. sovereignty. Randolph was an eccentric man, who brought his hunting dogs into the House chamber, and his colleagues feared his sharp tongue. With only a brief interruption, he served in Congress until 1829.
Randolph exercised enormous influence when he represented Southern planters in resisting the Missouri Compromise, which forbade slavery in new western territories north of the 36°30’ parallel. Although he defended the institution of slavery, Randolph loathed the slave trade. On his deathbed, Randolph freed the people he had enslaved, although contradictions in his will and subsequent litigation delayed their freedom.
Nacido en Cawsons, Prince George County, Virginia
El congresista John Randolph, miembro de una distinguida familia de Virginia cuya ascendencia se remontaba a Pocahontas y John Rolfe, fue un firme defensor de los derechos estatales. Elegido para la Cámara de Representantes en 1799, se opuso a la Guerra de 1812 (1812–15) por considerar que el conflicto con Inglaterra y sus aliados era insensato, causado más por ambición de territorios que por defender la soberanía estadounidense. Randolph era un excéntrico que llevaba sus perros de caza a la Cámara, y sus colegas temían su lengua mordaz. Con solo una breve interrupción, fue congresista hasta 1829.
Randolph tuvo un gran influencia como representante de los hacendados sureños opuestos al Compromiso de Misuri, que prohibía la esclavitud en los territorios occidentales al norte del paralelo 36°30’. Aunque defendía la esclavitud como institución, odiaba la trata de esclavos. En su lecho de muerte liberó a sus esclavos, pero el proceso se demoró debido a contradicciones en el testamento y la subsiguiente litigación.
Provenance
Grace Lambert [Mrs. Gerard B. Lambert], Princeton, N.J.; gift 1970 to NPG.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 136