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Notes

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Buller was called to the Bar in 1772 and rapidly acquired an extensive legal practice, acting in many important cases. He became the youngest ever High Court Judge in 1778 at the age of thirty-two. William Pitt made him a baronet in 1790 and in 1794 he transferred to the court of Common Pleas, dealing with civil actions, where he served until his death.
His assertion that a husband could thrash his wife with impunity provided that the stick was no thicker than his thumb, led cartoonist Gillray to caricature him as 'Judge Thumb'.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

Sir Francis Buller, 1st Bt

Date

1792

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 125.1 x W 99.1 cm

Accession number

458

Acquisition method

Given by the Society of Judges and Serjeants-at-Law, 1877

Work type

Painting

National Portrait Gallery, London

St Martin’s Place, London, Greater London WC2H 0HE England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Mather Brown

1761–1831

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