Main Hall Portraits

Portrait of Alderman Thomas Richardson (d.1911), who was Lord Mayor of Newcastle in 1888 and Chair of Governors at RGS for 25 years. He laid the first stone of the new Eskdale Terrace buildings at a formal ceremony in 1905. The painting is by John Charlton and was unveiled by Albert HG Grey, 4th Earl Grey (1851-1917) in December 1911.

The oldest portrait we have on display is of Hugh Moises, Headmaster (1749-1787), by an unknown artist, dating to the 18th century. Moises is shown standing by a window with Newcastle Cathedral in the distance. The painting was given to the Governors of RGS on permanent loan in 1961 from Brigadier R.A.F. Thorp, CBE.

Portrait of John James Fenwick, CBE (1908-2008) by Andrew Festing, PRP MBE, 2003. Fenwick ran the family firm department store chain Fenwicks (est. 1882), from 1972, originally joining the company in 1931. He was a governor of RGS 1975-2001, and Chair 1987-2000. The portrait was unveiled in June 2003.

Portrait of Julie Drummond, by Florence Bell, 2022. Julie Drummond worked in marketing for over 20 years, founding Drummond Central in 2004, building an award-winning communications agency with a 50-strong team. She was the first female RGS Chair of Governors, 2015-2021.

The painting of John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) is a copy of an original by the artist William Owen (1769-1825). It was presented to the school by Septimus G. Ward on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the school in 1925. The original painting of Eldon belongs to the Houses of Parliament Heritage Collections.

Portrait of Lord Taylor of Gosforth (1930-1997), by Andrew Festing, PRP MBE, 1994. Peter Taylor attended RGS 1938-49. He became Lord Chief Justice of England 1992-1996 and was made Baron Taylor of Gosforth. The portrait was unveiled on 17th June 1994.

The portrait of William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell (1745-1836) is a copy of an original by the artist William Owen (1769-1825). It was presented to the school by R.S. Dagleish on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the school in 1925.

Portrait of Lord William Plender CBE, painted by Sir William Llewellyn in 1929. Plender was an ON 1875-76 and funded the bookcases and some book repairs for the Plender Library at RGS in 1931. He also funded a Leaving Scholarship and Sixth Form History prize.

Portrait of Sir Alfred Molyneaux Palmer, Baronet (c.1853-1935), of the Palmer shipbuilding dynasty. He was Chairman of Governors c.1910s-1920s. Portrait by an unknown artist, possibly acquired early 1930s.

Portrait of Sir Arthur Munro Sutherland (1867-1953), shipping owner and philanthropist, by Howard Somerville in 1931. Sutherland was an ON 1878-1883, later Chair of Governors and Mayor of Newcastle 1918-1919. Sutherland funded the RGS Memorial Organ, swimming baths, rifle range, gymnasium, playing fields and pavilion at Sutherland Park. A copy of this portrait is at Mansion House Newcastle.

Portrait of Sir Henry Wilson Smith, K.C.B., K.B.E., by artist Carlos Luis Sancha, in 1969. Smith was RGS Chair of Governors, the portrait was presented to the school in 1970 when he retired. Presented by Frank Swainston on behalf of ONs, staff and students.

The portrait of Admiral Lord Cuthbert Collingwood (1748-1810) was the first to go on display in the Hall. It is a copy of a work by artist Charles Lonsdale, the original hangs in Newcastle’s Mansion House. This copy was painted by ON Harry Fogan (1877-1933), and was donated to the school by ON Dr Percy Laws in 1911. Its frame was carved by the woodwork master, Mr. Appleby.