An examination of the conduct of Great Britain respecting neutrals since the year 1791 Book

A biography of General Sir Robert Wilson, who since I came across accounts of his exploits in the Peninsular War is one of my new heroes and one of those forgotten figures from history that it seems incredible people do not know about. From a relatively humble (for the time) middle class background Wilson went on to fight in the Napoleonic wars with the British Army. Almost singlehandedly formed and went on to command the Loyal Lusitanian Legion of the Portuguese Army, who it could be argued for a short time in the early parts of the war almost singlehandedly stopped the war being lost to the French. He went on serve around the world travelling to Brazil, South Africa, later becoming the friend and confidant of kings and fought with both Russian and Austrian armies against Napoleon. Winning medals and awards from all sorts of people and countries. He was present when Napoleon and the Tsar of Russia signed a peace treaty, and then later at Napoleon’s disastrous retreat from Moscow. A real adventurer who was at the centre of the events of the day, but one that always respected his enemies as well as the common man. He refused to flog his men (extremely unconventional at the time) and treated his prisoners with respect and often went out of his way to intervene to save the lives of his enemies at the hands of others. After Napoleon’s defeat he became an ardent Bonapartist and social reformer. He became an MP, engaged in a Scarlet Pimpernel style escape of a former enemy French officer from a French jail for which he was put on trial in Paris and many daring instances of military gallantry and political intrigue across Europe. How has a film not been made of this man’s life!

The book itself succeeds in giving a flavour of the man, of whom I’ve already said I am an admirer of, although it also touches on the inconsistencies of his character and hints at his vanity and less admirable qualities. I would have preferred referencing and foot notes to explain the sources of some of the author's quotes and comments. But overall a really good introduction to a fascinating lost character from history and I look forward to learning more about him from other histories of the period.