Head-and-shoulders classical-style marble bust on a round socle, on its original square-section marble plinth. The sitter's upper chest and right shoulder are bare, a robe being swathed round the figure and over his left. His bare, partly bald head is turned to his left. The plinth is inscribed; 'CAPTAIN FRANCIS LIARDET RN / PRESENTED TO GREENWICH HOSPITAL / BY HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN / 1863 / T. MILNES Sc.'

Liardet was one of a family of Swiss origin, prominent both in British naval and military service from the 18th to the 20th century. Francis was the son of a Royal Marine officer and was only 14 when he was wounded in the 'Belvidera' while escaping from an American squadron in the War of 1812, and later more severely so when commanding the schooner 'Union' in the suppression of West Indian pirates. He was commander of the 'Powerful' on the coast of Syria and at the capture of Acre in 1840. He was promoted to post captain in 1841 and distinguished himself in saving lives in hazardous circumstances on several occasions. The Museum also holds the lifesaving and service medals he was awarded, and copies of the three books that he published to help the education of young naval officers (1849-58). He married in 1842, had three daughters (1843-46), and in 1856 was appointed one of the four Captains of Greenwich Hospital, where he died.

Milnes (1813-88) was a pupil of E. H. Baily and did other works connected with the Hospital now in NMM care (see SCU0046, SCU0004). His monument to John Simpson (1766-1849), who had been a pupil of the Hospital school and died a Captain of the Hospital, also still stands in its old burial ground (now Devonport House grounds) just west of the Museum. It includes a low-relief profile of Simpson, whose unusual distinction was that, as midshipman in a storeship at New York in 1783 at the end of the American war, he was sent - presumably as the least significant person possible- to surrender the keys of the city to General George Washington. This bust of Liardet is currently (2010) on display in 'Discover Greenwich', the World Heritage Site visitor centre at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.