Portrait miniature of George Richard, 3rd Viscount Bolingbroke, 1790

Portrait miniature of George Richard St.John, 3rd Viscount Bolingbroke (1761- 1824).

Unfortunately, the reputation of George leaves much to be desired. He contributed to the decline in St.John family fortunes set in train by his father, exceeding even the 2nd viscount's scandalous behaviour.

In 1783 George married Charlotte Collins, the daughter of his tutor and the couple had three children. Not content, George abandoned his young family for his half sister Mary and together they had four sons. Whilst Charlotte was still living he ran off again, this time with a German baroness, Isabella von Hompesh. George and Isabella had at least eight children, the last three legitimate following their marriage in the US in 1804.

The portrait miniature appears to be a copy of the portrait of George by John Hoppner and - see Items of Interest. It was one of a group of seven, framed together, which were sold by Kenneth St.John 7th Viscount Bolingbroke at Sotheby's on 28th February 1991. Lydiard House acquired five of the miniatures with grant assistance from the Museums and Galleries Commission V & A Purchase Grant Fund.