Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. (Bristol 1769-1830 London)

In 1814 Benjamin Rouse Junior succeeded his father to the position of Secretary to the Hand-in-Hand Fire Office, a post which he held until 1829. The Office was the leading insurance office of its time known to have been responsible for buildings in London such as the homes of Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745) and Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727); Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury; and Apsley House, the London seat of the Duke of Wellington. By 1818 they were insuring both Mr Sotheby's and Mr Christie's premises.

There is a portrait by Lawrence of the sitter's father, Benjamin Rouse (c.1742-1814) that was commissioned by the Board of Directors at the Hand-in-Hand Fire Office that is now in the collection of the Commercial Union Assurance Co. Ltd. (see K. Garlick, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Oxford, 1989, p. 260, no. 694).