Lot Essay
Read had a distinguished military career, beginning as an Ensign of the Royal Staff Corps in 1800 and he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and deputy Quatermaster General by 1824 when he was posted to Madras. He was awarded the Peninsular Medal and the Naval General Service medal. He also painted landscape views and examples of his panoramic watercolours can be seen in the National Army Museum. The present collection of views suggest that he went on an extensive tour of Ulster recording notable landmarks such as the Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle.