Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
(1810-1890), Field MarshalSitter 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.
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala ('Men of the Day. No. 177.')
by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 20 April 1878
NPG D43845
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
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
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 John Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x20697
Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x11981
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