Lieutenant Thomas Yates, (British, died 1796)

The East Indiaman London in several positions off Dover

The East Indiaman London in several positions off Dover
oil on canvas
80.5 x 126.5cm (31 11/16 x 49 13/16in).

Provenance
Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 22 June 1979, lot 3.
With The Parker Gallery, London.
Private collection, UK.

Literature
E. H. H. Archibald, The Dictionary of Sea Painters of Europe and America, Suffolk, 2000, illustrated p.356, pl.291.

Thomas Yates would make the rank of Lieutenant in 1882, at which point he left the navy to pursue a career as a painter. Several of his works were exhibited in London, including at the Royal Academy.

Upon the death of his uncle - noted London comic actor Richard Yates (1706-1796) - Lieutenant Thomas Yates, as his closest relative, would stake claim to his uncle's wealth. A disagreement ensued between Yates and his late uncle's housekeeper, Elizabeth Jones, as to whom was the rightful heir to his property. In a bizarre turn of events, having been locked out of his uncle's house by two men hired by Jones, he was shot and killed trying to climb in through a window. It is claimed that he was shot having been confused for a burglar, however, whilst this was happening Yates's wife was on her way back to the house with a police constable sent for by her husband as he believed that these men were a threat to him. The case caused a great stir in Georgian London, with one of the men being found guilty of manslaughter and Jones being granted the estate.