John Francis Collection

Prince Henry, Hotspur and Falstaff (Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 1, Act 5, Scene 4), first published 1796; reissued 1852

Interior of Westminster Cathedral Viewed from the West End, c1935. Creator: Cyril Ellis
Interior of Westminster Cathedral Viewed from the West End, c1935. Designed by John Francis Bentley (1839-1902), work began on Westminster Cathedral in London in 1895 and it opened in 1903

A Fishing Excursion in New Brunswick (engraving)
1102712 A Fishing Excursion in New Brunswick (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Fishing Excursion in New Brunswick)

Attempt on Queen Victorias life, 1842 (engraving)
559361 Attempt on Queen Victorias life, 1842 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Attempt on Queen Victorias life, 1842)

Trial and awful sentence of John Francis for attempting the life of the Queen, on 30 May 1842 (engraving)
559363 Trial and awful sentence of John Francis for attempting the life of the Queen, on 30 May 1842 (engraving) by English School

John Francis attempted assassination of Queen Victoria
Vintage engraving of John Francis attempted assassination of Queen Victoria. On 29 May 1842, Victoria was riding in a carriage along The Mall, London, when John Francis aimed a pistol at her

Westminster Cathedral, London, c1910. Creator: Unknown
Westminster Cathedral, London, c1910. Red brick building in Byzantine style by John Francis Bentley. Work began in 1895 and it opened in 1903

The Green Shutters: Viaticum, Belgium, 1918, (c1930). Creator: Frank Spenlove-Spenlove
The Green Shutters: Viaticum, Belgium, 1918, (c1930). Old woman and child in the snow outside a house where someone has recently died, indicated by the cross on the doorstep

In Westminster Cathedral, c1948. Creator: Unknown
In Westminster Cathedral, c1948. From " Newnes Pictorial Knowledge Volume 3". [George Newnes Limited, London]

Westminsters Byzantine Cathedral of Red Brick Seen from Ashley Place, c1935. Creator: Campbell
Westminsters Byzantine Cathedral of Red Brick Seen from Ashley Place, c1935. Designed by John Francis Bentley (1839- 1902)

Trinity Chapel, St Thomas Square, Hackney, London, c1850. Artist: John Francis
Trinity Chapel, St Thomas Square, Hackney, London, c1850

Providence, 1794. Artist: Benjamin Smith
Providence, 1794. Allegorical image of Providence, showing the figure of Providence resting on clouds, flanked by putti. The lower putti struggle to support an overflowing cornucopia.The original

Wisdom, 1794. Artist: Benjamin Smith
Wisdom, 1794. Allegorical image of Wisdom, showing the seated figure of Wisdom surrounded by attributes, putti, a lamb, owl and cockerel

Prince Albert, 1840. Artist: John Francis
Prince Albert, 1840

Innocence, 1794. Artist: Thomas Burke
Innocence, 1794. Four putti around a woman with attributes of innocence. One of four paintings

Wisdom, 1794. Artist: Thomas Burke
Wisdom, 1794. Four putti around a woman with attributes of wisdom. One of four paintings

Providence, 1794. Artist: Thomas Burke
Providence, 1794. Four putti around a woman with attributes of providence. One of four paintings

Happiness, 1794. Artist: Thomas Burke
Happiness, 1794. Four putti around a woman with attributes of happiness. One of four paintings

Flirtation, 1885. Artist: John Francis Rigaud
Flirtation, 1885; interior scene with a man sitting and eating, having returned from hunting; his quarry lies on the floor. A woman reaches for a kitchen utensil whilst turning to look at him

Innocence, 1799. Artist: Benjamin Smith
Innocence, 1799. Allegorical image showing the seated figure of Innocence holding a lamb and surrounded by putti. One of four engravings made from frescos by JF Rigaud, R.A

Providence, 1799. Artist: Benjamin Smith
Providence, 1799. Allegorical image showing the figure of Providence seated. Beneath, two putti struggle to support an overflowing cornucopia

Wisdom, 1799. Artist: JP Simon
Wisdom, 1799. Allegorical image of Wisdom, showing the seated figure of Wisdom surrounded by attributes including putti holding mirrors, a lamb, owl and cockerel

Happiness, 1799. Artist: Thomas Burke
Happiness, 1799. Allegorical image showing the figure of Happiness seated and surrounded by cherubs and attributes. One of four engravings made from frescos by JF Rigaud, R.A

Woodrow Wilson returns from Paris after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, 1919. Riding through New York City, President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), with his wife Edith (1872-1961)

The Ascent of Vincent Lunardi, accompanied by Mrs. Sage and Mr. Biggin, 1785, (1910). Vicenzo Lunardi (1759-1806), was a pioneering Italian aeronaut, born in Lucca

Death of Sir Philip Sidney, 1859. Artist: Herbert Bourne
Death of Sir Philip Sidney, 1859. English poet, courtier, scholar, and soldier, a prominent figure of the Elizabethan age

The British surrendering their arms to Gen: Washington, 1781, 1859. Artist: James Stephenson
The British surrendering their arms to Gen: Washington, 1781, 1859. Defeat at YorkTown, Virginia on October 1781. Cornwallis presents his sword in the Siege of Yorktown. After J. F

Letter to Benjamin West, President of the Royal Academy, 1803 (1904). A letter from Paul Sandby (1731-1809), Richard Cosway (1742-1821), John Francis Rigaud (1742-1810)

The Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster, London, 1911. Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
The Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster, London, 1911. Tothill Fields Bridewell (also known as Tothill Fields Prison and Westminster Bridewell)

The ruins of Djerash, the ancient Gergesa, Syria, 1841. Artist: W Floyd
The ruins of Djerash, the ancient Gergesa, Syria, 1841. From Syria, the Holy land and Asia Minor, volume III, by John Carne, published by Fisher, Son & Co. (London, 1841)

Synagogue of the Jews, Jerusalem, Israel, 1841. Artist: J Redaway
Synagogue of the Jews, Jerusalem, Israel, 1841. From Syria, the Holy land and Asia Minor, volume III, by John Carne, published by Fisher, Son & Co. (London, 1841)

Gallant Defence of the Centurion, c1805. Artist: John Francis Sartorius
Gallant Defence of the Centurion, c1805. The British warship HMS Centurion defending two East Indiamen from French attack on 15 September 1804 at the Battle of Vizagapatam in the Bay of Bengal

Edward, Prince of Wales (1330-1376), 19th century. Artist: J Rogers
Edward, Prince of Wales (1330-1376), 19th century. Edward presents the captive king John of France and his son to his father, Edward III

The Empress Matilda refusing to release king Stephen, 1141. Artist: J Rogers
The Empress Matilda refusing to release king Stephen, 1141. Flight of Matilda from Oxford, 1142. Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154

Captain Horatio Nelson, 1777-1781, (19th century). A portrait of Nelson (1758-1805) in captains full-dress uniform, with his hands resting on his sheathed sword in front of him

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John Francis, a man of many faces and stories. From his association with Prince Henry to his portrayal as Hotspur and Falstaff in Shakespeare's King Henry, he was no stranger to the world of theater and royalty. However, it was not all fame and glory for John Francis. In the annals of history, one engraving stands out - "Particulars of the Cowardly and Disgraceful Attempt on the Life of Her Majesty. " It depicts the shocking moment when John Francis tried to assassinate Queen Victoria herself. The examination that followed before the Privy Council is captured in another haunting engraving. But amidst these dark events, there were glimpses into other aspects of John Francis' life. An intriguing image shows him on a fishing excursion in New Brunswick, perhaps seeking solace or escape from his troubled past. Yet even here, tragedy seemed to follow him as news spread about his attempt on Queen Victoria's life. The trial that ensued was nothing short of dramatic - an awful sentence handed down for his audacious act against the monarch. This event forever etched itself into history through yet another powerful engraving titled "Trial and awful sentence of John Francis. " As time passed, John Francis faded from public memory but left behind traces scattered across different eras. A photograph captures Westminster Cathedral in London around 1910; its grandeur standing tall like a silent witness to past events involving this enigmatic figure. Moving forward in time brings us closer to Viaticum in Belgium during World War I - where we find "The Green Shutters, " a poignant reminder that even amid war's chaos, humanity endures. In Westminster Cathedral once again but now circa 1948 - an unknown photographer immortalizes its timeless beauty. Finally, we glimpse inside Westminster Cathedral viewed from the west end around 1935; Cyril Ellis expertly captures its intricate details while Campbell presents us with Westminsters Byzantine Cathedral of Red Brick seen from Ashley Place in the same era.