Arthur William Devis 1763-1822

By descent in the family of the sitter at Elmley Castle, Worcestershire. 

The sitter was the son of Thomas Davies of New House, Herefordshire, and his wife Mary Warburton.  He travelled out to India and rose rapidly in prominence largely through his successful opposition to a Government bye-law which would have been to the detriment of the commercial community in Bengal.  William Hickey wrote approvingly of him in his Memoirs: "He was eloquent, quick, and possessed of splendid natural talents improved by the best education and much reading".  The Supreme Government of Calcutta nominated him to the post of Advocate-General, a post which he held with great distinction.  He was also a friend of Warren Hastings.  On 9th April 1788 he married Anna, daughter of Hugh Baillie of Monckton, Ayrshire