Satirical ballooning cartoon, Lord Grenville

He Steers His Flight. Satirical cartoon on the subject of Lord Grenville's installation as Chancellor of Oxford University. He is seated in a balloon ascending into the air, wearing his Chancellor's gown, with a crucifix at the back. The balloon is depicted as a fat man with hot air (labelled Promises) escaping from behind. The installation (3 July 1810) followed a divisive election in which Lord Eldon opposed Lord Grenville on political and religious grounds. Opponents like Gillray saw Grenville's installation as a triumph for Catholic Emancipation. Faces in the crowd include political figures: Buckingham, Stafford, M.A. Taylor, Erskine, Tierney, Holland, Grey, Sidmouth, Cholmondeley, Whitbread, Watkin Williams-Wynn, Fingall and Sheridan

Picture No

10610168

Media ID

48034319

Size

3758px x 5000px (5.9MB)

Credit

©The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans

Source

Cartoon by John Gillray, published by H Humphrey, St James's Street, London,

Date

July 1810