Silver mourning ring commemorating Admiral Sir George Campbell (1759–1821). The ring is decorated with a chased floral border and there is a black enamel band around the hoop (taille d'épargne). The ring is inscribed with the words 'In memory of'. It is also inscribed on the interior with the words 'Adm Sir Geo Campbell GCB ob 23 Jan 1821'.

Admiral Sir George Campbell first entered the navy in 1771 and reached the position of Admiral in 1814. During his career he was posted in the Mediterranean and West Indies and notably was part of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson’s Mediterranean Fleet in 1804. As well as a naval officer, Campbell was an MP for Carmarthen from 1806-1813, and had a close friendship with the Prince Regent. He was made a groom of the bedchamber in 1817.

Campbell took his own life in 1821. He was found by his valet at 6:50am with his pistol next to him in Admiralty House in Portsmouth. The cause of his death was officially considered an act of 'lunacy' and evidence suggests that he suffered with his mental health throughout his career. At a time when suicide was illegal and considered a sin, funeral rites could be denied to individuals who took their own lives. However, Campbell received a full public funeral in Portsmouth which was attended by other admirals and naval officials. A funeral procession escorted his body from Admiralty House, where he died, to the Royal Garrison Chapel, where he was interred. The impact of his loss was widely felt in the navy and beyond. It was reported that ‘the abilities of Sir. G. Campbell as a Naval officer were highly esteemed by the immortal Nelson. The poor will feel a great loss. Sir George was charitable in the extreme, and highly esteemed by all the Navy’ (Gentleman’s Magazine, vol. 129, 1821, p. 87). The Morning Chronicle reported too that ‘the whole of the tradesmen’s shops were closed during the time of the procession … and regret at the loss of amiable character appeared to be generally felt’ (Morning Post, 1 February 1821).

This mourning ring ensured that Campbell would be respectfully remembered, despite the taboos that surrounded suicide in this period. Mourning rings were often bequeathed in wills and were usually intended for family and friends. Campbell's brother, Lord Cawdor, described his brother’s death in his diary as ‘one of the severest afflictions I have ever experienced as I love no man on earth as well as him after my own sons’ (1 Cawdor 244). Campbell did not have any children with his wife Eustacia Campbell-Hooke, but his nephew Captain George Pryse Campbell was promoted to the rank of post captain as by the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty as a token of ‘their Lordships respect and esteem for the lamented officer’ (Hampshire Chronicle, 29 January 1821).