Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cameron, George Poulett
CAMERON, GEORGE POULETT (1806–1882), colonel, an Indian officer, was the son of Commander Robert Cameron, R.N., who perished with the greater part of his crew under the batteries of Fort St. Andero (Santander), on the north coast of Spain, on 22 Jan. 1807. He was appointed a cadet of infantry at Madras in 1821, and in 1824 and 1825 served as adjutant of a light field battalion under Lieutenant-general Sir C. Deacon in the southern Mahratta country. Returning to England in 1831, he shortly afterwards joined the expedition to Portugal organised by Don Pedro to recover the throne for his daughter, the late Queen Maria II. Cameron was attached to the staff of field-marshal the Duke of Terceira, under whose command he distinguished himself in two actions fought on 4 March and 5 July 1833, receiving special commendation on the second occasion for having remained at his post after being severely wounded. A few years later he was sent on particular service to Persia, and was employed with the Persian army in 1836, 1837, and 1838, commanding the garrison of Tabriz. On leaving Persia in 1838 he visited the Russian garrisons in Circassia. In 1842 he held for a short time the appointment of political agent at the titular court of the Nawáb of Arcot. In 1843 he was created a C.B., having previously received from the government of Portugal the order of the Tower and Sword, and from that of Persia the order of the Lion and Sun. After serving for a time in the quartermaster-general's department in the Madras presidency, he was transferred, in consequence of ill-health, to the invalid establishment. Subsequently, in 1856, he was commandant of the Nílgiri Hills, the duties of which post were principally of a civil character. Having retired from the service of the East India Company early in 1858, he was present with the Austrian army in the Italian campaign of the following year. He was the author of the following works: ‘Personal Adventures and Excursions in Georgia, Circassia, and Russia,’ 2 vols. 1848; ‘The Romance of Military Life, being souvenirs connected with thirty years' service,’ 1853. He died in London in 1882.
[Ann. Reg. 1882; India Office Records.]