Prinsep

The family descended from John Prinsep, an 18th-century merchant who was the son of Rev.

John Prinsep, rector of Saundby, Nottinghamshire, and Bicester, Oxfordshire.

John Prinsep, his son, founded indigo production in India as well as the making of cotton fabrics in Bengal, opened a copper mint in India and was a founder of the Westminster Life Insurance Society in London, where he later served as Alderman and in Parliament.

During his 16 years in India, John Prinsep amassed a £40,000 fortune, which he used to set himself up as a London businessman and get himself elected to Parliament.

He was the first of three succeeding generations of Prinseps in India, all of whom were known for their artistic abilities.

The Queen was in the Parlour, Eating Bread and Honey , 1860 by Valentine Cameron 'Val' Prinsep
'May' Prinsep, daughter of Charles Robert Prinsep. Photographed by Julia Margaret Cameron , 1866
Henry Thoby Prinsep of London. Photograph by Julia Margaret Cameron , 1866