John Wilkes

The son of a Clerkenwell malt distiller John Wilkes (1725-1797) was a radical MP and journalist whose activities caused a series of  political crises in the 1760's. He was renowned in 18th century political circles as a  rake and hedonist but despite this he was able to antagonise the Government and his actions had a significant impact both inside and outside Parliament, leading to legal and parliamentary reform.

This image by Hogarth is a caricature of a man who by his own admission was not blessed with good looks, but whom was portrayed by others with more respect than that displayed here.