A three-quarter-length portrait very slightly to the right showing Oliver in a captain's full dress uniform (under three years) 1833-43 pattern. His gloved right hand rests on the top of his telescope; sky forms the background.
Sir Robert Oliver entered the Royal Navy on 23 May 1800 in ‘Formidable’, 98 guns, under Sir Edward Thornborough. He continued to serve under this officer as midshipman and master’s mate. He became a lieutenant on 22 February 1810, and commanded the boats of ‘Espoir’ which with those of ‘Success’, succeeded in destroying several vessels at Castiglione under heavy fire from the shore and shortly afterwards he took part in a similar operation at Terracina. He was promoted to commander on 29 October 1827 and to captain on 28 August 1834. In 1837 he became Superintendent of the Indian Navy, a post he would hold until his death on 5 August 1848. The Indian Navy, the successor to the Bombay Marine, was the naval arm of the Honourable East India Company. It provided steamers that played a crucial role in naval operations during the First China War as they were able to penetrate the interior of the country along its rivers. Oliver was knighted for his services in the war with China. He died in 1848 was buried in St Thomas's Cathedral, Bombay. His wife was Rachel Mary, Lady Oliver (circa 1804-1867). Her portrait is BHC2921.