Lambert Playfair

Sir (Robert) Lambert Playfair KCMG (21 March 1828 – 18 February 1899) was a British soldier, diplomat, naturalist and author.

Lambert was born in St Andrews when his parents were at home on leave, and left there to be educated when they returned to India.

Playfair was a military cadet at Addiscombe College, then joined the Madras Army in 1846 at the age of 18.

He became an artillery officer and with the rank of Captain was appointed to the Madras Staff Corps in 1858.

[1] He was promoted to Major in 1866,[2] and left the army with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1867.