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Biography of John Opie 1761-1807

John Opie is in Painters.

. John Opie. Portrait of the artist's father-in-law James Alderson.

James Alderson: In 1742 he was born to J Alderson. In October 1825 he died.

On 16th May 1761 John Opie was born.

On 4th December 1782 John Opie (age 21) and Mary Bunn were married at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map].

Dictionary of National Biography: Opie's first cares in his new prosperity were to surround his mother with comfort, and to provide himself with a wife. On 4 December 1782 he married Mary Bunn at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. She was a daughter of Benjamin Bunn of St. Botolpn's, Aldgate, who combined the business of a solicitor with that of a money-lender. The match was unhappy. In 1795 the lady eloped with one John Edwards, and in the following year Opie obtained a divorce.

1785. John Opie (age 23). Self-portrait.

1787. John Opie (age 25). "The Murder of Rizzio".

Around 1790. John Opie (age 28). Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft (age 30).

1794. John Opie (age 32). Portrait of Henry Fuseli (age 52).

In 1796 John Opie (age 34) and Mary Bunn were divorced.

Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans

Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

Around 1797. John Opie (age 35). Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft (age 37).

1798. John Opie (age 36). Portrait of the artist's wife [his future wife] Amelia Alderson (age 28).

Amelia Alderson: On 12th November 1769 she was born to James Alderson and Amelia Briggs. On 2nd December 1853 she died at midnight. She was buried in the same grave as her father, in the Friends* burying-ground at Norwich.

After 1798. John Opie (age 36). Portrait of the artist's wife [his future wife] Amelia Alderson (age 28).

On 8th May 1798 John Opie (age 36) and Amelia Alderson (age 28) were married at St Marylebone Church.

Dictionary of National Biography: Meanwhile he had married again, and this time his choice was very fortunate. It was at an evening party at Norwich that he first met Amelia Alderson, the daughter of a doctor of that town, and cousin of Baron Alderson (age 10). He fell in love at first sight. They were married at Marylebone Church on 8 May 1798, and lived till his death at 8 Berners Street, whither he had moved in 1791. They were thoroughly suited to each other; she appreciated liis genius and character. A grace was afterwards observed in his works, especially his female portraits, which they had lacked before. At first fortune did not seem to favour them, and there was a short period at the end of 1801 and the beginning of 1802 when he was wholly without employment; Mrs. Opie considered these ' three alarming months ' as the severest trial in her married life. Then a ' torrent of business ' came, and never ceased to flow till the day of his death.

Around 1804. John Opie (age 42). Self-Portrait.

Around 1804. John Opie (age 42). Portrait of William Henry Hanover 1st Duke Gloucester and Edinburgh (age 60).

. 1805. John Opie (age 43). Portrait of Robert Southey (age 30).

. 1805. John Opie (age 43). Portrait of Edward Boscawen (age 17).

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

1805. John Opie (age 43). Self-portrait.

1805. John Opie (age 43). Portrait of Bishop Shute Barrington (age 70).

On 9th April 1817 John Opie (age 55) died. He was buried at St Paul's Cathedral [Map].

On 2nd December 1853 [his former wife] Amelia Alderson (age 84) died at midnight. She was buried in the same grave as her father, in the Friends* burying-ground at Norwich.