Friday, June 8, 2007

on Archie Campbell of Inverneill



When I first came across this guy, he was - to me - quite simply a 'laird'; he owned the estates upon which my own Knapdale ancestors lived, until they left for Canada in 1853.

But as I found more and more information about him, it turns out that he is a very interesting man, and one who was respected - and liked - by all who knew him when he was alive - even, by Americans who had been enemies of the British Empire. He was, quite simply, a very great representative of the British Empire - and of Scotland, too.


This painting, by Romney, dates from 1790, AFTER Campbell's return to Britain from Madras. One remark made by Lieut Col Ian McCulloch (Ret) is that it reflects the fact that by this time, Archie Campbell had been ill (which is why he returned to Britain). He died early in 1791.


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