An antique monochrome stipple engraving of General William Blakeney, engraved by J Chapman and published circa 1795.
Lieutenant General Sir William Blakeney, 1st Baron Blakeney (1672 - 1761) was an Irish-born officer, who served in the British army from 1695 until 1756. He was also Member of Parliament for Kilmallock from 1725 to 1757. He was appointed Governor of Menorca in 1748. The French occupied most of the island in 1756 at the start of the Seven Years War. Blakeney and the garrison of Fort St. Philip held out for 70 days. Admiral John Byng was later court-martialled and shot for failing to relieve him, but Blakeney was made a baronet in recognition of his resolute defence. He was 84 at the time! This ended his military career, and he retired to County Limerick, Ireland; where he died in 1761, and was later buried in Westminster Abbey. He never married, and the title became extinct on his death. Mounted. Unframed.
Print size: 15cm x 9.5cm
Mount size: 26.5cm x 19.5cm