Harry Peckham, Esq. (1740–1787), Recorder of Chichester (1785)

The portrait of Harry Peckham, Esq. (1740–1787), painted in 1785, captures the multifaceted life of this distinguished figure. As a King's Counsel, judge, and avid sportsman, Peckham was notable for his contributions to early cricket, including the development of rules such as leg before wicket. His travels across Europe and letters, still published over two centuries later, reflect his scholarly pursuits. The portrait’s elegant Rococo style emphasizes grace and refinement, subtly highlighting his social standing and sporting interests. James Woodforde's diary references Peckham's cricketing at Oxford, where his sporting spirit persisted into 1771.