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Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

(1832-1914), Field Marshal

Sitter in 81 portraits
Roberts was born in Cawnpore, India and served much of his military career there. He rose to Major-General during the Afghan war, 1878-80, and Commander-in-Chief in India, 1885-93. He enjoyed enormous popularity at home, which was much enhanced by his decisive command in the Second Boer War, 1900. He returned to England on being appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British army, 1900-04, but found himself in disagreement with government defence policy. He spent his remaining years warning against the German threat and arguing the case for national service. Roberts died of pneumonia in France while visiting Indian troops fighting the First World War. He was given a state funeral after lying in state at Westminster Hall (only one of two non royal family members to do so in the 20th century, the other being Sir Winston Churchill) and was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

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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

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by 'GWR' (?) - NPG 1996

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by 'GWR' (?)
watercolour, published in Vanity Fair 10 April 1880
NPG 1996

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Lock & Whitfield, published by  Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington - NPG Ax17681

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Lock & Whitfield, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, published 1882
NPG Ax17681

Indian Civil servants, by Bourne & Shepherd - NPG x32167

Indian Civil servants

by Bourne & Shepherd
albumen panel card, circa 1890
NPG x32167

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x39342

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Alexander Bassano
gelatin printing-out paper cabinet card, 1891-1892
NPG x39342

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x197381

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Alexander Bassano
printing-out paper cabinet card, 1891-1892
NPG x197381

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x197382

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Alexander Bassano
printing-out paper cabinet card, 1891-1892
NPG x197382

Dufadar; Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Henry ('Harry') F. Mackern, published by  Underwood & Underwood - NPG x26385

Dufadar; Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Henry ('Harry') F. Mackern, published by Underwood & Underwood
albumen stereoscopic card, 1900
NPG x26385

Dufadar; Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Horace Walter Nicholls - NPG x137824

Dufadar; Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Horace Walter Nicholls
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 22 September 1900
NPG x137824

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Bassano Ltd, after  Unknown artist - NPG x128017

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Bassano Ltd, after Unknown artist
12 x 10 inch glass copy negative, 4 May 1904
NPG x128017

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x128018

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Bassano Ltd
12 x 10 inch glass copy negative, 12 July 1904
NPG x128018

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x128019

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Bassano Ltd
12 x 10 inch glass copy negative, 12 July 1904
NPG x128019

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x128020

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Bassano Ltd
12 x 10 inch glass copy negative, 12 July 1904
NPG x128020

'King Edward & His Empire Builders', published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x197883

'King Edward & His Empire Builders'

published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x197883

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x12482

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen cabinet card
NPG x12482

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by Carl Vandyk, published by  The Regal Publishing Co - NPG x12488

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by Carl Vandyk, published by The Regal Publishing Co
photogravure
NPG x12488

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x26374

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen cabinet card
NPG x26374

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x4979

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen cabinet card
NPG x4979

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, published by C.W. Walton & Co, after  Charles William Walton - NPG D39784

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

published by C.W. Walton & Co, after Charles William Walton
lithograph, late 19th century
NPG D39784

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