Francis Napier

The Right Honourable The Lord Napier KT PC
Portrait of Francis Napier, 10th Lord Napier in 1866
Acting Viceroy of India
In office 24 February 1872 – 3 May 1872
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Preceded by	Sir John Strachey As Acting Viceroy
Succeeded by	The Lord Northbrook
Governor of Madras Presidency
In office 27 March 1866 – 19 February 1872
Preceded by	Sir William Thomas Denison
Succeeded by	Alexander John Arbuthnot As Acting Governor
Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Russia
In office 1861–1864
Preceded by	John Crampton
Succeeded by	Andrew Buchanan
Personal details
Born	(1819-09-15)15 September 1819 Thirlestane Castle, Selkirkshire, United Kingdom
Died	19 December 1898(1898-12-19) (aged 79) Florence, Kingdom of Italy
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	Anne Jane Charlotte Manners
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge
Religion	Christian

Francis Napier, 10th Lord Napier and 1st Baron Ettrick KT PC (15 September 1819 – 19 December 1898), was a Scottish polyglot, diplomat and colonial administrator. He served as the British Minister to the United States from 1857 to 1859, Netherlands from 1859 to 1860, Russia from 1861 to 1864, Prussia from 1864 to 1866 and as the Governor of Madras from 1866 to 1872. He also acted as the Viceroy of India from February to May 1872.

Francis Napier was born on 15 September 1819 to William John Napier and had his early education through private tutors. He joined the Trinity College, Cambridge in 1835 but did not complete his graduation. Instead, he mastered foreign languages and served as a diplomat in foreign missions. In 1866, he was appointed Governor of Madras and served from 1866 to 1872. On the assassination of the Earl of Mayo, the then Viceroy of India in February 1872, Napier was appointed to act temporarily as the Viceroy of India and served from February to May 1872. Napier returned to the United Kingdom in July 1872 and in his later life, chaired the Napier Commission. Napier died at Florence, Italy on 18 December 1898 at the age of 79.