Maj-Gen Alexander Hadden Lindsay CB Mapledurham Watermill, Oxford

Lindsay Harris Family Collection

This picture derives from an interesting collection of works that we have for sale associated with Maj-Gen Alexander Hadden Lindsay CB (1830–1887), who was an Indian Army officer. A number of the pictures in the collection are by Lindsay himself, depicting views in India and also in Scotland at Aberdeenshire, to where Lindsay returned with his two children in 1874 after the death of his wife, Isabella Harris.

Lindsay was born at Kandy, Ceylon, where his father, Colonel Martin Lindsay CB, 16th of Dowhill, was stationed. He was educated at Wimbledon and at Addiscombe, for which he was nominated by his uncle, General Sir Alexander Lindsay KCB (1785–1872). He served in the Bengal Horse Artillery and was a lieutenant during the Indian Mutiny 1857–8. He later served in the 2nd Afghan War and was awarded the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB).

There are also connections with the Yarker family of Conynger Hurst in Ulverston, Lancashire—possibly through the Harris side of the family (a Sarah Harris married Robert Yarker in the 18th century). Robert Francis Yarker (1804–1870), was a gentleman solicitor who was prominent in Ulverston, and there are pictures of the Lake District in the collection which likely relate to the Yarker family.

Of particular note in the collection are three beautiful French drawings with an indistinct signature, possibly 'Berr', and two exquisite Indian Company Paintings of buildings at Agra in Uttar Pradesh.