Sir William Erle (1793–1880) was born at Fifehead Magdalen, Dorset. He was a Scholar of Winchester College, 1804-11; Fellow of New College, Oxford, 1813-34; MP for Oxford, 1837-41; Lord Chief Justice, 1859-1880. He married Amelia, the daughter of the Revd. Dr. David Williams, Warden of New College, the subject of Ao84.

This is a copy of Sir Francis Grant’s portrait of Erle at New College, painted in 1851. The canvas stamp on the reverse of the present picture was used by George Rowney & Co. from c. 1854 to c. 1868.

Provenance: Given to Winchester College by Mr Smith Dampier, 1931

Location: Not on Display