Studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt. 1646 - 1723

The sitter was the son of Sir Benjamin Bathurst, treasurer to Princess Anne of Denmark, and his wife Frances Apsley, daughter of Sir Allen Apsley. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford and in 1704 married his cousin Catherine, daughter of Sir Peter Apsley. He was M.P. for Cirencester from 1705 until 1712 when he was created Baron Bathurst. He was a keen opponent of Walpole and following his fall was made Privy Councillor. In 1772 he was granted an Earldom. He had a great love of gardening and had many friends amoungst prominent literary figures, including Pope, Congreve, Prior and Swift.