Bampfylde Moore Carew, a vagabond, with small scene depicting travelling life. Aquatint.

There is a vignette below the sitter which represents a scene of two travelling persons stopped outside a house conversing with its occupant, perhaps begging for food and money.

The sitter originally came from Devon and his father was a rector. He ran away to join the gipsies to avoid punishment for some schoolboy prank. Henceforth, he became known as a vagabond and 'King of the Gipsies'. He was convicted of vagrancy and transported to Maryland. After numerous escape attempts he was forced to wear an iron collar, however, this did not deter his wandering spirit and he eventually escaped successfully aided by some Indians. After various swindles he made his way back to England and continued drifting. He finally settled down after winning a lottery. 'The Dictionary of National Biography', London, 1908, p. 956

1 print : aquatint with stipple engraving and etching

Mr. Bampfylde Moore Carew.

Wellcome Collection 216i