Lot 161: William Behnes

William Behnes
English, 1795-1864
a pair of busts of field marshal viscount and lady beresford
Lady Beresford signed and dated: W. BEHNES. SCULP. LONDON. 1829.
white marble (2)
Lady Beresford: 71 cm., 28 in.
Viscount Beresford: 81.2 cm., 32 in.
Viscount William Carr Beresford (1768-1854) entered the British army in 1785. He saw service in Egypt (1801-1803) and took part in the capture of Cape Town from the Dutch in 1806. In the peninsular War he was at the retreat from Corunna in 1808 and in 1809 was made commander of the Portuguese auxiliary army and commanded the troops at the victory of Albuera. At the end of the war he was created a baronet and in 1823 a viscount. From 1828-39 he was master-general of the ordnance.