Portrait of Alexander Todd
Date
1979
Sitter
Alexander Robertus Todd, Baron Todd of Trumpington (1907 - 1997, British) , Biochemist
Creator
William Edward Narraway (1915, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1270mm
width (painting): 1016mm
width (painting): 1016mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Todd is seated, probably in the President’s Office at the Royal Society’s headquarters at Carlton House Terrace. Visible historic furnishings include the chair formerly belonging to Robert Southwell and the Society’s Tompion clock. Todd wears spectacles, a blue pinstriped suit, striped shirt and red tie and a white pocket handkerchief.
Museum objects represented here include one of the Society’s John Shelton-made clocks and the wooden chair supposed to belong to Robert Southwell. These have been, in recent years, some of the usual furnishings of the President’s office at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace.
Alexander Robertus Todd was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1942, he served as its President from 1975 to 1980.
Museum objects represented here include one of the Society’s John Shelton-made clocks and the wooden chair supposed to belong to Robert Southwell. These have been, in recent years, some of the usual furnishings of the President’s office at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace.
Alexander Robertus Todd was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1942, he served as its President from 1975 to 1980.
Transcription
Narraway 79
LORD TODD O.M. President 1975-1980 by WILLIAM NARRAWAY
LORD TODD O.M. President 1975-1980 by WILLIAM NARRAWAY
Object history
Commissioned by the Royal Society, 1979.
Commissioning of this portrait was considered by the Library Committee, which reported to Council 13 April 1978. By the 13 July meeting of that year the artist was selected: “Resolved - as recommended by the Chairman of the Library Committee on behalf of the Committee, the President’s portrait be painted by Mr W.E.Narraway and, as recommended by the Treasurer, the fee of £2,000...be met...”
The portrait was ready for framing by the meeting of 1 March1979. [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed 1976-1979 vol.26 pp.431, 538 and 735].
Commissioning of this portrait was considered by the Library Committee, which reported to Council 13 April 1978. By the 13 July meeting of that year the artist was selected: “Resolved - as recommended by the Chairman of the Library Committee on behalf of the Committee, the President’s portrait be painted by Mr W.E.Narraway and, as recommended by the Treasurer, the fee of £2,000...be met...”
The portrait was ready for framing by the meeting of 1 March1979. [Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed 1976-1979 vol.26 pp.431, 538 and 735].
Associated place