208 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 
A KNIGHT OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE 
81. In Britain during the last century, there were many men 
whose showyard and farming successes elicited the commenda- 
tion and reward of loyalty. From only one man, however, came 
such breadth and definiteness of achievement as to result in 
knighthood. This notable contributor to rural welfare was the 
late Sir WALTER GiLBEy of Elsenham Hall. On the recommen- 
dation of Epwarp the VII, then Prince of Wales, QuEEN Vic- 
TORIA put her pen to the necessary papers to make him a Bar- 
onet, in recognition of his distinguished achievements in horse 
breeding, the literature of livestock and general agriculture. 
The copy of his portrait by Sir W. PucnH OrcHarpson that 
hangs on the Club walls was prepared by Artist NyHoLM. The 
original portrait was paid for by the subscriptions of over 
twelve hundred different people; Americans, Canadians, Aus- 
tralians, Scots and Irish, joining with native Britishers in this 
testimonial. Sir WALTER received the portrait publicly in 1891, 
at the Royal Agricultural Hall in London. The ceremonies 
were under the direction of Duke of Portland, Master of Horse 
to the Crown, and the presentation was at the hand of the Prince 
of Wales. 
Sir WALTER GILBEY’s origins were humble; his father was 
a stagecoach driver on the run between Essex and Whitechapel, 
and every childhood influence directed him toward the equine 
world. His first business undertakings were in the sale and 
buying of horses, a business that soon developed into a great 
agricultural and mercantile trade. From early peverty he 
attained enormous wealth and his money was freely spent to 
procure rural advancement. From the beginning his interest 
lay in the production of Shires, Hackneys, Hunters and Ponies. 
It is related that his first horse was purchased from his small 
winnings at cribbage while on a non-military mission in the 
Crimea. In order to secure the time to play, he traded his rum 
