Portraits Archive

portraits

Anna Komnene – the princess who chronicled Byzantium’s changing fortunes

Byzantine princess Anna Komnene, banished to a convent for her political ambition, devoted her gifts of observation to charting the fortunes of her father's empire – etching her le..

Peter Frankopan November 16, 2020

portraits

George McGhee – American father to Britain’s Suez Crisis

Debonair and open-faced diplomat George McGhee's shuttle diplomacy helped accelerate Britain's decline as a player in the Middle East.

James Barr November 11, 2020

portraits

Olympe de Gouges: the recalcitrant revolutionary

Olympe de Gouges - executed in the aftermath of 1789 for speaking her mind - has yet to be recognised properly by the modern Republic.

Donald Sassoon November 5, 2020

portraits

Nicias of Athens: the peace-loving general

Nicias of Athens sought compromise when those around him were begging for blood – carving his own tomb in the process.

Erica Benner October 27, 2020

Oswald Spengler (Eingeschränkte Rechte für bestimmte redaktionelle Kunden in Deutschland. Limited rights for specific editorial clients in Germany.) *29.05.1880-08.05.1936+Wissenschaftler, Philosoph, Geschichtsphilosoph, DPortrait- 1930

portraits

Oswald Spengler – an intellectual life

Spengler's philosophy represented a startling synthesis of ideas - they have a pressing relevance today.

Harry Cluff October 2, 2020

Title Page from Thomas Gage's The English-American his travail by sea and land

portraits

Thomas Gage – a man of unintended consequences

His intense faith led Gage to switch his religious allegiance during the tumultuous 17th century - he went on to have an enormous impact on Britain's colonial future.

Paul Lay September 28, 2020

portraits

The squandered promise of Willie Wilde

Willie Wilde - Oscar Wilde's older brother - had been destined for a distinguished public life, but the siren song of dissolute journalism proved too tempting.

Matthew Sturgis September 22, 2020