IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0064 NAP
Held at: National Maritime Museum
Title: Napier, Sir Charles, Admiral, (1786-1860)
Date(s): 1813-1862
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 4 boxes
Name of creator(s): Napier | Sir | Charles | 1786-1860 | Admiral
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Entering the Navy in 1799, Napier became a lieutenant in 1805, commander in 1807 and captain in 1809. Between 1811 and 1812 he served on the West coast of Italy and later in American waters. In 1833 he took service in the Portuguese navy and was victorious over the forces of Dom Miguel, who had seized the throne of Portugal from his niece, Maria, in 1828. As he had not sought permission to enter foreign service, Napier's name was removed from the Navy List hut was restored in 1836. In 1837 he was appointed second-in-command of the Mediterranean Fleet, taking a leading part in the Syrian campaign, 1839 to 1841, particularly at the bombardment of Acre and in the subsequent negotiations with Mehemet Ali. In 1846 he was promoted to rear-admiral and he took command of the Channel Squadron until 1849. He was promoted to vice-admiral in 1853 and commanded the Baltic Fleet in the 1854 campaign. In 1858 he was advanced to admiral. Napier was Member of Parliament for Marylebone, 1841 to 1847, and for Southwark, 1855 to 1860. There are two biographies: Major-General E. Napier, 'Memoirs and correspondence of Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K. C. B.' (London, 1862) and H. Noel Williams, 'The life and letters of Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B. (1736-1860)' (London, 1917).
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of Sir Charles Napier. They consist of private letters received by Napier. 1813 and 1860, and a few written and received by Napier's daughter, Mrs Fanny Jodrell, 1847 to 1862.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Conditions governing access:
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Finding aids:
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The papers were presented by Mrs Madelene Tharp, the Admiral's grand-daughter, in 1930.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
Much of Napier's official correspondence is in the British Library.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Edited by Sarah Drewery, Sep 2011.
Date(s) of descriptions: 2010-08-26