Elizabeth Thompson

For other people named Elizabeth Thompson, see Elizabeth Thompson (disambiguation).

Elizabeth Thompson
Self-portrait, 1869
Born
Elizabeth Southerden Thompson

(1846-11-03)3 November 1846
Lausanne, Switzerland
Died2 October 1933(1933-10-02) (aged 86)
Gormanston Castle, County Meath, Ireland
NationalityBritish
Known forPainting
Notable workThe Roll Call, 1874
The 28th Regiment at Quatre Bras, 1875
The Defence of Rorke's Drift, 1880
Scotland Forever!, 1881
MovementHistory painting, military art
TitleLady Butler
SpouseSir William Butler
Children6
Elizabeth, Lady Butler's signature

Elizabeth Southerden Thompson (3 November 1846 – 2 October 1933), later known as Lady Butler,[1] was a British painter who specialised in painting scenes from British military campaigns and battles, including the Crimean War and the Napoleonic Wars. Her notable works include The Roll Call (purchased by Queen Victoria), The Defence of Rorke's Drift, and Scotland Forever! (showing the Scots Greys at Waterloo). She wrote about her military paintings in an autobiography published in 1922: "I never painted for the glory of war, but to portray its pathos and heroism."[2][3][4]
She married British Army officer William Butler, becoming Lady Butler after he was knighted.[1]

  1. ^ a b "Butler (Elizabeth), Lady". Who's Who. Vol. 59. 1907. p. 264.
  2. ^ Usherwood, Paul, and Jenny Spencer-Smith, (1987). – Lady Butler, Battle Artist, 1846–1933. – Gloucester: Sutton. – ISBN 0-86299-355-5
  3. ^ Elizabeth Thompson (Lady Butler) Archived 9 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine – Spartacus Educational Schoolnet. – Retrieved: 2005-05-01
  4. ^ Obituary: The Times. 3 October 1933.