Sir Ralph Abercromby, Knight of the Bath, 1800 (c)

Stipple engraving by F Bartolozzi after J Hoppner, published by John Jeffries, London, 1 January 1802.

'A general who means to succeed must follow his own ideas, command his army himself, and choose his own assistants.'General Sir Ralph Abercromby, 1794.

To Abercromby (1734-1801) can be given much of the credit for the revival of the British Army during the Revolutionary War period. After service in Germany during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), his professional advancement was postponed by his opposition to the war against the Americans. War with France recalled him to active service and he distinguished himself in Flanders, the Caribbean and North Holland (1799). Extreme short-sightedness contributed to the recklessness in battle which eventually cost him his life at the Battle of Alexandria (1801).