Charles William Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton

Charles William Molyneux was the son of William Philip Molyneux and his wife Margaret, daughter of the 6th Earl Craven. Charles was married to Mary Augusta (née Gregge Hopwood), daughter of Robert Gregge Hopwood of Hopwood Hall, Lancashire. He was an MP for South Lancashire between 1832 and 1835 as a Liberal (Whig). He recieved his title in 1838 residing at Croxteth Hall for much of life. He was also a keen follower of field sports so it is perhaps natural that he is depicted in equestrian style. Richard Dighton is thought to have resided at Birkenhead, as recorded in 'Gores Liverpool Street Directory' for 1851, 1853 and 1855. Dighton belonged to a large family of artists. His Grandfather Robert Dighton (the elder) (1752 - 1814) was a caricaturist and military portraitist, actor and print-seller who disgraced himself in 1806 when he stole drawings from the British Museum and replaced them with his own copies.