Caesar Shaw

Caesar Shaw was a servant and slave at Althorp House in Northamptonshire. From the 16th century, but particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was fashionable for members of the aristocracy to have one or two Black slaves among their household servants.

There are two known paintings of Caesar Shaw at Althorp House. One was painted by John Wootton in 1733. The painting you see here is the work of George Knapton which dates to 1745. It shows Caesar with the Honourable John Spencer and nephew John (later 1st Earl Spencer).

The only other known record relating to Caesar is the following entry which appears in the 1732 Great Brington parish registers:

“Caesar Shaw a Negro boy of about 10 years old belonging to Rt. Hon ye Earl of Sunderland was baptised August 6 1732”