John Evelyn Denison, who served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1857 to 1872. Denison was later known as the 1st Viscount Ossington.

The illustration was published in the British magazine Vanity Fair on March 12, 1870, as part of their "Statesmen" series (No. 43). It was created by the artist Alfred Thompson, who signed the work as "ATn". The caption at the bottom, "The first of the Commoners of England," refers to his high-ranking official position.