John Savile (1719–1778) was the son of Charles Savile of Methley Hall, Yorkshire, and Aletheia Millington. In 1749 he was appointed knight companion of the Order of the Bath. On 8 September 1753 he was created Baron Pollington of Longford in the County of Longford, and on 11 February 1766 first Earl of Mexborough of Lifford, County Donegal. Although the artist is unknown the portrait has been attributed recently to Benjamin Wilson by Brian Allen on stylistic grounds. It is one of four paintings presently in the Long Gallery with identical carved frames, all of which were commissioned quite possibly by Sir John Delaval in the 1760s, with the intention of hanging them together in the Long Gallery at Doddington (see DN88, DN93 and DN103). This portrait, and that of Lady Pollington (DN88), are on long-term to Doddington Hall from the Earl of Mexborough.