Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala (1810-1890), Field Marshal
Sitter in 24 portraits
Ceylon-born Napier joined the Bengal Engineers at sixteen and served throughout the Anglo-Sikh Wars. He later served in the North West Frontier District and saw action in Peshawar and Afghanistan. He also served during the Indian Mutiny, before commanding a division during the Second Anglo-Chinese War. Napier achieved fame as leader of the 1868 Abyssinian expedition, which was mounted to compel the release of British prisoners held by King Theodore. It involved crossing 400 miles of mountainous terrain lacking roads or bridges and Napier demonstrated a mastery of logistics and military administration. Napier was appointed commander-in-chief in India in 1870 and was promoted to field marshal in 1883.
by Thomas Jones Barker
oil on canvas, 1859
On display in Room 21 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5851
The Supreme Indian Council, Simla, 1864
by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print, circa 1864
NPG P426
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt
plaster cast of bust, 1880s
On display in Room 21 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 863
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by John Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax11983
possibly by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print, circa 1864
NPG x129638
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Edwin Sutton
albumen carte-de-visite, 1868
NPG Ax17834
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Edwin Sutton
albumen carte-de-visite, 1868
NPG Ax11958
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1870s
NPG x11982
possibly by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print on card mount, early 1870s
NPG x129639
possibly by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print on card mount, early 1870s
NPG x129640
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Maull & Fox
albumen cabinet card, 1877-1890
NPG x136663
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1881?
NPG x96398
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1881?
NPG x96399
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1881?
NPG x96400
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Charles Algernon Tomkins, published by T.W. Green, after Charles Mercier
mezzotint, published 3 May 1869
NPG D33541
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published 1878
NPG D6747
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by John Watkins, published by A. Marion & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x20697
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x11980
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x11981
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Lock & Whitfield, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, published 1878
NPG Ax17572
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Unknown photographer
albumen print
NPG Ax27714
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Charles Algernon Tomkins, published by T.W. Green, after Charles Mercier
mezzotint, published 3 May 1869
NPG D38450
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
printed by Riddle & Couchman, after London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
chromolithograph, published 3 February 1883
NPG D38451
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
after Theodore Blake Wirgman
photographic print, (30 March 1886)
NPG D38452
Armed Forces and Intelligence Services
Places
Afghanistan
Ethiopia
India
Sri Lanka
Thematic collections
Related shop items
Keep in touch
