Major-General Thomas Hardwicke (1755-1835), British naturalist. Hardwicke served in the army of the British East India Company from 1778 to 1823, becoming Major-General in 1819. During this time, he collected numerous animal specimens and drawings. On his return he published 'Illustrations of Indian Zoology' (183035). He was elected Fellow of the Linnean Society (1804) and Fellow of the Royal Society (1813). His collection of 4500 illustrations is held by the Natural History Museum, London, UK. This oil-on-canvas painting, by John Lucas (1807-1874), dates from circa 1830. Original held at the Natural History Museum.