Charles Knight Pearson | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1834 Somerset, England |
| Died | 2 October 1909 (aged 75) Surrey, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1852–1895 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | 31st Regiment of Foot 3rd Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Companion of the Order of the Bath Mentioned in Despatches (11 times) |
Lieutenant General Sir Charles Knight Pearson KCMG CB (July 1834 – 2 October 1909) was a military commander in the British Army during the Anglo-Zulu War (also known as the Zulu War). Pearson was born in Somerset to Commander Charles Pearson of the Royal Navy. After buying the rank of Ensign in the 99th Regiment of Foot in 1852, Pearson served during the Crimean War where he was Mentioned in Despatches. After steadily rising through the ranks, Pearson was sent to South Africa to command a battalion of the 3rd Regiment of Foot (the Buffs). After retiring for a short period, he rejoined the Army after the outbreak of the Zulu War. Pearson was placed in command of a column of infantry which then became besieged at Eshowe for 70 days until Lord Chelmsford relieved them. After the war, Pearson became Governor and Commandant of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, then commander of forces in the West Indies, before retiring in 1885. Pearson died in 1909.