The Life and Career of Napier of Magdala, Dr Christopher Brice

A somewhat forgotten general, Napier was a peculiar mix of the conservative and the innovative, and was considered the leading commander of the British Army before the emergence of Garnet Wolseley and Frederick Roberts. Starting off in the army of the East India Company, Napier saw extensive service in the First and Second Sikh Wars (1845-46 and 1848-49). He played an important role in suppressing the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and commanded the 2nd Division in China in 1860 during the Second Opium War (1856–60). After serving as the military member of the council of the Viceroy of India, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army. It was in this capacity that his greatest achievement came, leading the Abyssinian Campaign (1867-68) against Emperor Theodore II in his mountain fortress of Magdala.
Admission
Tickets are FREE but must be booked in advance by calling: 020 7730 0717 or email: vs@nam.ac.uk. Bookings close three days before each lecture. All talks take place at the Army & Navy Club.

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//se000573?id=EVENT513173