General Sir James Outram (1803-63)
Born at Butterley Hall Derbyshire on the 29th January 1803 Sir James Outram was to became best known as the defender of Lucknow in the Indian Mutiny but he was also a gifted political agent and big game hunter. Winning a cadetship at the age of sixteen he entered the Bombay Army. He served with distinction during the First Afghan War at one point making a long journey across dangerous territory in disguise. A skilled political agent he showed tact and understanding of local politics and was often opposed to Sir Charles Napiers harsher policies. He did not tolerate corruption and was removed from the Bombay Army for uncovering official corruption. Recalled when the mutiny broke out he was given the command of two divisions with which he joined Sir Henry Havelock at Cawnpore then marching to Lucknow. He held the city until the second relief force arrived and defended a walled park the Alambagh against severe odds until the city was captured. Sir James recieved a baroncy in 1858 for his work in India but the tropical climate had broken his health and he was forced to return to England in 1860 dying in the Pyrenees in March 1863.
How to cite this article:Dugdale-Pointon, TDP. (21 January 2001), General Sir James Outram (1803-63), http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_outram.html