William Alvey Darwin (1726-83), Elston Hall, Nottinghamshire;
by descent

K. Pearson, The Life and Letters and Labours of Francis Galton, 1914, Vol I, p. 243, ilus. pl. VI;
B. Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby, 1968, Vol. I.,💖 pp. 13, 68, 193, no. 🃏55, Vol. II., p. 108., pl. 176

STRUCTURE The canvas appears to be unlined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good, original condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examinaiton underultraviolet light reveals a very minor area of strengthening in the background, upper left, above the sitter's head. There is an old and slightly discoloured varnish overall. FRAME In the original fluted British 'Marratta' gilded frame. An independently conducted, professional conservators report is available for this lot upon request. If you would like to receive a copy please contact the department.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter was the second son of Robert Darwin and his wife Elizabeth Hill. He followed his father into the legal profession and was admitted to Gray's Inn on the 11th May 1751. He was never called to the Bar but practised as an attorney with offices at the King's Head Holborn. In the 1770s he appears to have acted as solicitor for Gray's Inn (see The Pension Book of Gray's Inn 1669-1800, edited by J. Fletcher, 1910, Vol II).

On the 28th October 1772 he married Jane Brown (see following lot) and they had three sons and three daughters. In around 1777 he retired to Sleaford where his mother lived. As the inscription suggests, this portrait was painted on Wright's return to Derbyshire in 1776 following a brief period in Bath. 

We are gratef♒ul to Theresa Thorn and Desmond𓆉 King-Hele for their assistance in cataloguing this painting.