County Council Portraits

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County Council Portraits

Portrait of Robert Palmer MP

Portrait of Robert Palmer MP

Date: 1859 | Reference: 98/BCC

Robert Palmer (no relation to the Palmers of Huntley and Palmer) was the son of Richard Palmer of Holme Park, Sonning. He inherited the estate from his father in 1806. He took an active part in County life, becoming a magistrate in 1815, serving as High Sheriff in 1818 and as Chairman of Quarter Sessions, 1840-1864. He was MP for Berkshire, 1825-1831 and 1832-1859.

He was also a supporter of local causes: he was a major contributor to the costs of building St John’s Church, Woodley, and in his will he left funds to set up the Robert Palmer Almshouse Charity in Sonning. His portrait was commissioned for the Assize Court in Reading to mark his retirement as an MP after thirty-four years service and as a testimony to the estimation in which he was held by all. It was paid for by public subscription.

Eden Upton Eddis (1812-1901) exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy between 1837 and 1881. He painted a number of portraits of well-known figures, including Lord Macaulay, Archbishop Sumner and Sydney Smith.

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