Search the Collection

Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala

(1810-1890), Field Marshal

Sitter in 27 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.

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

The Relief of Lucknow, 1857, by Thomas Jones Barker - NPG 5851

The Relief of Lucknow, 1857

by Thomas Jones Barker
oil on canvas, 1859
On display in Room 23 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5851

Group of officials, Simla, possibly by Bourne & Shepherd - NPG x129638

Group of officials, Simla

possibly by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print, circa 1864
NPG x129638

Group of officials, Simla, possibly by Bourne & Shepherd - NPG x129639

Group of officials, Simla

possibly by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print on card mount, early 1870s
NPG x129639

Group of officials, Simla, possibly by Bourne & Shepherd - NPG x129640

Group of officials, Simla

possibly by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen print on card mount, early 1870s
NPG x129640

Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, by Lock & Whitfield, published by  Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington - NPG Ax17572

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 Charles Algernon Tomkins, published by  T.W. Green, after  Charles Mercier - NPG D33541

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 Charles Algernon Tomkins, published by  T.W. Green, after  Charles Mercier - NPG D38450

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

Related People

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.