William Burt (1608-1679) was born in the parish of St Lawrence, Winchester. He was a Scholar of Winchester College, 1618-25; Fellow of New College, 1625-31; Master of Thame School, 1631-47; Headmaster of Winchester, 1653-8, and Warden of Winchester, 1658-79.

Another version of this picture is at New College, Oxford, given by Elizabeth Beeston (daughter of the sitter and wife of Henry Beeston, Headmaster of Winchester, 1658-1679).

This portrait is listed in the 1734 inventory of the Warden’s Gallery. It may have been among the portraits of past wardens bequeathed by Warden Nicholas in 1707.

Literature: R.E. Poole, Catalogue of Portraits in the Possession of the University, Colleges, City and County of Oxford, 3 vols (Oxford, 1935), II, p. 157.

Provenance: Unknown, by 1734

Location: Warden’s Lodgings