State before letters. A three-quarter-length portrait of Richard Pearson (1731–1806) in captain’s (over three years) full-dress uniform, 1774–87, with a tie wig and a sword. Pearson holds his hat in his left hand. This portrait was engraved in mezzotint by James Watson after an original painting by Charles Grignion (see BHC2942). Grignion’s painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in May 1780 and this print was published six months later in November 1780. At this time, Pearson was famous for an action in 1779, when he was in command of the ‘Serapis’, 44 guns. Escorting a large convoy from the Baltic, the ‘Serapis’ was attacked off Flamborough Head by an American rebel squadron under John Paul Jones in the 'Bonhomme Richard', 42 guns. This famous action ended in Pearson surrendering the 'Serapis' to Jones but not before his spirited defence had covered the escape of the valuable convoy. For this reason he was considered a hero. He was knighted, received presents from the merchants and the freedoms of several towns. (Updated April 2019).