The first members of staff

The National Gallery first opened its doors in 1824. But have you ever thought about who was standing behind those doors each day to welcome visitors? Let’s look back at the Gallery’s history to learn about the first employees.

Did you know that Trafalgar Square has not always been our home? We were first located a few hundred yards away at 100 Pall Mall. This was the house of financier and art collector John Julius Angerstein.

When the government bought 38 of his paintings to create the beginnings of a national collection, they needed somewhere to display them. It was decided to keep them in Angerstein’s home until a more permanent location was found.

Lord Liverpool, Prime Minister and early Trustee of the Gallery, recommended hiring staff to look after the building and collection. Unlike the hundreds of employees who work at the Gallery today, there were far fewer members of staff to start with. So, who were these first employees?

The housemaid

Martha Hirst was the National Gallery’s first housemaid. Her job was to keep the Gallery clean and manage the fires that warmed the building. For 36 years until her death, she continued to keep the Gallery ready for visitors to enjoy.

The Keeper

Another member of staff who dedicated much of his life to working at the Gallery was William Seguier. From its opening in 1824, until his death in 1843, Seguier held the most senior role at the time of Keeper. As the manager of the Gallery, he wore many hats. His background as an art dealer also made him well suited to oversee the acquisition of paintings. Today, the title of Keeper still exists (albeit with a different set of responsibilities). The current postholder is also the head of the Gallery’s Conservation Department.

The porter

Although the first porter’s name is unknown, we have not forgotten this important role. They were the first person visitors would have seen when they entered the Gallery. Their job covered managing admission, welcoming visitors and looking after their personal belongings.

One perk of the porter’s job was being given accommodation in the building. Today, this role is most similar to the security staff and assistants who welcome visitors to the Gallery (although they no longer live in the building).

The National Gallery has come a long way from its early days when there were fewer than 10 members of staff at 100 Pall Mall. Today, in 2024, around 300 people work for the Gallery to care for your national art collection.