Sir John Percivale Baronet of Burton in the County of Cork in Ireland
Engraved and published by John Smith (1652/4–1742)
After a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller
Printed in London, England; 1715‒25
Mezzotint on laid paper
Gift of Mrs. Waldron Phoenix Belknap 1967.0975
This portrait of John Perceval, 1st Earl of Egmont (1683‒1748), represents an early interest among Ireland’s aristocracy in creating better living conditions for people in British prisons. Perceval worked closely with James Oglethorpe on this issue, ultimately helping to establish the American colony of Georgia in 1732 as a haven for English subjects who had been imprisoned for debt.