tour 1 of 28
London 1753
London 1753
The British Museum was founded in 1753, at a time when London
was changing from being the capital of an emerging economy to the
centre of a new empire. The mid-eighteenth century saw a number of
significant national and international events. In 1746 the defeat
of the Jacobite Rebellion at the battle of Culloden ended Stuart
claims to the monarchy. In 1763 the end of the Seven Years' War
left Britain in control of Canada, India and much of the
Caribbean.
This tour looks at London during these crucial years through
prints and drawings of the period. It is arranged in sections
corresponding to five distinct London areas: the City, the River,
Covent Garden and Bloomsbury, Westminster, St James's and
Mayfair.
The exhibition London 1753 (Room 90) ran from
23 May to 23 November 2003. It was made possible by the
Corporation of London, Mr Francis Finlay and The Salters' Company.
The associated education programme was generously supported by
the Golden Bottle Trust.
Illustration: Louis Philippe Boitard (lived
about 1733-1767), The Imports of Great Britain from France, 7
March 1757, etching with engraved lettering, published by John
Bowles and Son at the Black Horse, Cornhill (PD 1871-12-9-981; BM
Satire 3653)