Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart
(1895-1970), Military historian and strategistSitter in 27 portraits
Military historian and strategist. Liddell Hart served as a captain in the First World War and was gassed on the Somme in 1916, and suffered two mild heart attacks in 1921 and 1922 (which were probably the long-term effects of his gassing), an experience which coloured his thinking. He introduced new methods of instruction and drill, contributed to the Infantry Training Manual, and left the army in 1927. He was an influential commentator on war, notably in Strategy - The Indirect Approach (1929). Thirty books followed. He was military correspondent for the Daily Telegraph (1925-35) and The Times (1935-9). In 1939, however, his calls for a compromise peace with Hitler clashed with public opinion and he was accused of having Nazi sympathies, despite his consistently anti-Fascist stance. An early campaigner for nuclear disarmament, his views influenced President Kennedy before the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
by Hein Heckroth
oil on board, 1939
NPG 5907
by Juliet Pannett
chalk, 1966
NPG 5763
by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 1927
NPG x84311
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 17 January 1927
NPG x19202
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 17 January 1927
NPG x19203
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 17 January 1927
NPG x19204
by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1930s
NPG Ax136062
by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1930s
NPG Ax136145
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x25783
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x25784
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative, 1934
NPG x25785
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25395
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25396
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25397
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25399
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25400
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25401
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25402
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25403
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x25404
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