Napier of Magdala, LORD

Napier of Magdala, LORD. Robert Cornelis Napier was born in Ceylon, 6th December 1810, and was educated at the Military College at Addiscombe. He entered the Bengal Engineers in 1826, served in the Sutlej campaign, was wounded while acting as chief-engineer at the siege of Multan, and had a prominent share in the battle of Gujrat. As chief-engineer of the Punjab, with the rank of colonel, he greatly developed the resources of the country. During the Indian Mutiny he was chief-engineer in Sir Colin Campbell's army, and especially distinguished himself at the siege of Lucknow, and was made K.C.B. He received the thanks of parliament for his services in the Chinese war of 1858. As commander of the expedition in Abyssinia (q.v.) in 1868, he achieved a brilliant success, both by his whole management of the short campaign and in the storming of Magdala, which ended it. On his return he received the thanks of parliament, an annuity of £2000, was made G.C.B., and created Baron Napier of Magdala. In 1870 he was appointed Commander-in-chief of the forces in India, and nominated a member of the Indian Council. In 1876-82 he was governor of Gibraltar, and on resigning was made Field-marshal, in 1886 Constable of the Tower. He died 14th January 1890.