The Good Sharps - The Eighteenth-Century Family that Changed Britain

The enthralling story of an eighteenth-century family and their extraordinary achievements. Four brothers, three sisters. Brought up in a Northumberland rectory and in the close of Durham Cathedral, the Sharps would achieve exalted positions at the heart of British society. In 1781, the celebrated painter Johan Zoffany put the final brush strokes on the luminous portrait that immortalised the siblings' rise, and their remarkable unity and passion for life. Ambitious, free-thinking and courageous, the Sharps were pioneers in the major movements that defined the eighteenth century - from political reform and philanthropy to medicine and industry. John, an eminent priest, established a model welfare state at Bamburgh Castle and commissioned the world's first lifeboat; William became surgeon to George III; while James was a visionary inventor, canal promoter and engineer. Most famously of all, Granville, the youngest son, battled tirelessly as Britain's first great campaigner for the abolition of the slave trade. Despite the social strictures of their day, Elizabeth, Judith and Frances claimed significant independence, and played key roles in hosting the Sharps' famous musical parties on barges on the Thames. In this vivid, moving biography, Hester Grant charts the siblings' shared journey to prominence, and explores the values and enduring bonds that inspired their success. The Good Sharps brings to life not just these men and women who realised that the future could be different, but also the new world they created.

About the author

Hester Grant studied modern history at Christ Church, Oxford, where she was awarded the J. L. Field Exhibition and the Keith Feiling History Prize. She subsequently trained and practised as a barrister. Hester gave up her legal career to bring up her three children, and to pursue her great loves of writing and eighteenth-century British history. Her fascination with the Sharps began when she saw their portrait at the 2012 Johan Zoffany exhibition at the Royal Academy.

Product details

• Authors: Hester Grant
• Publisher: Vintage UK
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 19.08.2021
• EAN: 9781784707224
• ISBN: 978-1-78470-722-4
• No. of pages: 400
• Dimensions: 129 mm x 198 mm x 26 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Modern era up to 1918; Non-fiction book; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, British Empire, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Colonialism & Post-Colonialism, HISTORY / Modern / 18th Century, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Slavery, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, British & Irish history, Local interest, family history & nostalgia, United Kingdom, Great Britain, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, Western Europe, Slavery & abolition of slavery, Inventions and inventors, Local and family history, nostalgia, C 1700 To C 1800, Slavery and abolition of slavery