John Gully Paintings

John Gully was an English artist, but perhaps more famously known for his varied career as a prize fighter, a horse racer, and a politician. Born on August 21, 1783, in Wick, near Bath, Somerset, England, Gully's early life was not indicative of his later fame. Initially, he worked as a butcher's apprentice, but his life took a dramatic turn when he was imprisoned for debt in the Fleet Prison, London.

During his imprisonment, he took up boxing and subsequently became a prizefighter after his release. Gully's fame as a pugilist grew, and he was noted for his two fights with the famous bare-knuckle boxer Henry Pearce, also known as 'The Game Chicken'. Although Gully lost both matches, his courage and ability won him many admirers. Eventually, he retired from boxing and turned to horse racing, a field in which he achieved significant success. He became an owner and breeder of racehorses and won the prestigious St Leger Stakes three times.

His affluence from horse racing allowed him to enter the world of politics. John Gully was elected as the Member of Parliament for Pontefract in 1832, serving until 1837. He was known for his liberal views and supported the Reform Act of 1832, which reformed the electoral system in Great Britain.

Gully continued to invest in horse racing and also became involved in coal mining. By the time of his death on March 9, 1863, he had amassed considerable wealth. It's worth noting that although Gully pursued painting, it was not the primary pursuit of his life, and he was not widely recognized as an artist. His paintings were mostly personal and did not gain the same notoriety as his sporting and political endeavors. Gully's life is often remembered for its remarkable diversity, and he left behind a legacy that bridged the worlds of sport, politics, and business during the 19th century in England.