Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Bullen (1769-1853)

A late, half-length portrait of the highly decorated Sir Charles Bullen, in vice-admiral’s full-dress uniform. He is wearing the ribbon, star collar and badge of the GCB and neck badge and star of the KCH. Also present are the Naval Gold Medal for Trafalgar, and the Naval General Service medal 1793-1840 with clasps for Camperdown and 1 June 1794. In his right-hand Bullen holds the sword presented to him by the patriotic fund at Lloyd's, in recognition of his service at Trafalgar. He joined the navy in 1779 and served as a lieutenant in the ‘Ramillies’ at Lord Howe’s victory on First of June 1794. In 1797 he was first lieutenant on the ‘Monmouth’ at Camperdown where he was promoted commander for his services. In 1804 Lord Northesk asked him to be his flag captain in the ‘Britannia’, and he fought at Trafalgar in this post. During the latter part of the war he commanded frigates in the Mediterranean and was active in harassing the French in Spain. Among his later posts after the war he was Commodore of the West Coast of Africa and captain of the ‘Royal Sovereign’ yacht. The painting is signed and dated ‘A. Grant 1849’.

The artist was Alexander Grant (c. 1807-after 1851). He was Irish. As “A. Grant”, he showed this portrait at the Royal Academy in 1852 (No. 968, Portrait of Admiral Sir Charles Bullen, Bart., K.C.B., K.C.H., Captain of the Britannia, at the battle of Trafalgar). His address was “3 Norfolk-p[lace], Eves-town, Stoke Newington”.

The 1851 census shows Alexander Grant and his family living at “3 Eves Town”, with his profession as “portrait painter”. According to that record, he was born in Ireland in about 1807. His wife Catherine Mary Grant was born in Bermuda in about 1810.

The couple were the parents of at least four children. Their firstborn son, Adam, was born in the United States of America in about 1837. Their daughter Mary Sarah was born in Bristol in 1841 and daughter Ella was born in Stroud (Gloucester) in 1844. Their daughter Jerusha was born in Haggerston (Hackney), in 1848.

It has not been possible to determine when Alexander passed away. We are grateful to Marcie Doran for providing information about this artist.