Mrs Worrell as Hebe

1768

A founder of the Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy comes into being in 1768, with West one of the primary leaders of an opposition group formed out of the Society of Artists of Great Britain; Joshua Reynolds becomes its first president. West had discussed the idea of an academy with George III, to whom Archbishop Drummond had brought him after a subscription for an annuity for the painter failed; the same year he is elected to the American Philosophical Society.

1771

“The Death of General Wolfe” at the Academy

The painting of 1770, which returns to the French and Indian War setting of his 1768 “General Johnson Saving a Wounded French Officer from the Tomahawk of a North American Indian”, is shown at the Royal Academy. Reynolds and other academicians at first condemn the heroes' modern rather than classical dress as an insult to history painting, but the picture is a great success, is copied many times and wins Reynolds's approval in the end — it becomes one of the most frequently reproduced images of the period.

1772

Historical painter to the court

George III appoints West historical painter to the court at an annual fee of £1,000; he holds the post until 1801.

1772

Son born: Benjamin West, Jr.

1775

American Revolution: West stays neutral

When the American Revolution breaks out, West remains ambivalent and speaks out neither for nor against the war in his land of birth.

1776

Death of his father, John West

West's father, John West (1690–1776), dies — an innkeeper who kept the Square Tavern in Newtown Square, still standing today.