Alexis Benoît Soyer
(1810-1858), Cook and writer of cookery booksSitter in 6 portraits
A French chef, in 1837 Soyer was appointed the first chef at the newly created Reform Club in Pall Mall. He helped design the kitchens, instituting many innovations; the kitchens were so famous that they were opened for conducted tours. In 1847 the government asked Soyer to install soup kitchens in Ireland to help alleviate the famine there and during the Crimean War he went to Scutari to reorganise the catering in the hospitals. Soyer wrote a number of books about cooking. A Shilling Cookery for the People (1855) was a recipe book for ordinary people who could not afford elaborate kitchen utensils or large quantities of exotic ingredients.
Florence Nightingale receiving the Wounded at Scutari'
by Jerry Barrett
oil on canvas, 1856
NPG 4305
Florence Nightingale at Scutari. A Mission of Mercy
by Samuel Bellin, published by Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd, after Jerry Barrett
mixed-method engraving, 1858 (1857)
NPG D43044
after Robert Thomas Landells
wood engraving, published in the 'Illustrated Times' 28 August 1858
NPG D45910
by Henry Bryan Hall, after (Elizabeth) Emma Soyer (née Jones)
stipple engraving, published 1858 (1843)
NPG D6822
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Play
Tudor and Elizabethan matching pairs
Test your memory by playing our matching pairs game. Three levels of difficulty make it fun for the whole family.
Regency familiar faces
Rearrange tiles to uncover sitters from the Gallery's Collection by playing our puzzle game.
Who do you think you were?
Answer a few lifestyle questions about the Elizabethan period and discover your inner Elizabethan!