Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Shirley, Horatio
SHIRLEY, Sir HORATIO (1805–1879), general, born on 8 Dec. 1805, was fifth son of Evelyn Shirley of Eatington Park, Warwickshire, by his wife, Phyllis Byam, only daughter of Charlton Wollaston of Horton, Dorset. His father's eldest brother, Evelyn John Shirley, was father of Evelyn Philip Shirley [q. v.] Horatio entered Rugby in May 1820, and afterwards proceeded to Trinity College, Oxford, matriculating on 10 May 1823. In 1825 he entered the army, became lieutenant in 1826, was promoted captain in 1833, and major in 1841; was nominated lieutenant-colonel in 1848, and gazetted colonel of the 88th foot in 1854. He served with distinction during the Crimean war, taking part in the battles of Alma and Inkerman with his regiment. At the siege of Sebastopol he was general officer of the trenches in the attacks on the quarries on 7 and 18 June, and was commended by Lord Raglan for his ‘arduous services.’ In the storming of Sebastopol on 8 Sept. he was wounded and invalided home. He was appointed a C.B. in 1856 and a K.C.B. in 1869. In 1862 he obtained field-rank, in 1871 was promoted to a lieutenant-general, and in 1877 became a general. He died, unmarried, on 7 April 1879, at his house at Puddletown, Dorset.
[Ward's Men of the Reign, p. 810; Times, 15 April 1879; Dorset County Chronicle, 17 April 1879; Kinglake's Invasion of the Crimea, 6th edit. ix. 99, 114, 124; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715–1886; Rugby School Register, ed. 1881, i. 140.]