Neville Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton

Who was Neville Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton?

Neville Stephen Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton, OBE was a British military officer and artist.

He was a son of Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton and grandson of the famous novelists, Edward Bulwer-Lytton and Rosina Doyle Wheeler. Neville Lytton was born in India while his father served as viceroy. His siblings included the suffragette Constance Lytton, Betty Balfour, Countess of Balfour and sister in law of the Prime Minister, and Emily Lutyens, wife of Edward Lutyens.

He was educated at Eton College and at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. During World War I, Neville Lytton served as an officer on the Western Front and saw active duty at both the Somme and Amiens. According to the accounts of a contemporary, he was seen as "a gentleman of the old school" and served "with gallantry and distinction". For his service the French Government decorated him with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

Shortly after the end of the war both Britain's Imperial War Museum, and France's Musée de Guerre acquired examples of his art, some of which had apparently travelled with him on his postings. It is possible to see Lytton's frescos reflecting his experiences in the war on display in Balcombe village's Victory Hall.