Soldier, Explorer, Author. Born in Suirville, County Tipperary, Ireland, he was chiefly educated by the Jesuits. Although Butler was both an Irishman and a Catholic, he joined the British Army as an ensign in 1858 and retired as a lieutenant-general in 1905. He participated in the Red River Expedition (Canada) from 1870 to 1871, after which he wrote two books about his experiences. It was upon Butler's initial recommendation that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were eventually formed. From 1873 to 1874 he fought with General Sir Garnet Wolesley in the Ashanti War in Southwest Africa, participated in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, and fought in the Sudan from 1884 to 1886. In 1885, Butler successfully obtained the boats necessary for the (unsuccessful) relief of Khartoum and rescue of his friend Major-General Charles George Gordon (of whom he later wrote a biography). In 1898, he was appointed commander-in-chief of British forces in South Africa. After retiring from the Army in 1905, he returned to his native Ireland where he became a noted lecturer, embraced the cause of national education, and became a member of the senate of Ireland's National University. For his services he was named Companion of the Bath (1874), Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1887), and Knight of the Grand Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1906); he was also appointed to the Irish Privy Council (1909). He was the husband of painter Lady Elizabeth Butler. Butler died at his home, Bansha Castle. After Catholic funeral rites, his body was laid to rest with full British military honours at Killardrich, County Tipperary, Ireland. On his tombstone are his own words: "Give me but six foot three (one inch to spare) of Irish ground and dig it anywhere and for for my poor soul say an Irish prayer above the spot."