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COMMANDER // 1781–1841

Guan Tianpei

Qing dynasty3 battles1 war

Lifespan

17811841

179018001810182018301840First Opium War · 1839-1842Battle of Chuenpee — November 3, 1839 · Qing China · First Opium WarBattle of the Bogue — February 23, 1841 · Qing China · First Opium WarSecond Battle of Chuenpee — January 7, 1841 · Qing China · First Opium War

Active service 1839–18413 battles across 1 war; first command at age 58.

Profile

Guan Tianpei, courtesy name Zhongyin (仲因), art name Zipu (滋圃), was a Chinese admiral of the Qing dynasty who served in the First Opium War. His Chinese title was "Commander-in-Chief of Naval Forces". In 1838, he established courteous relations with British Rear-Admiral Frederick Maitland. Guan fought in the First Battle of Chuenpi (1839), the Second Battle of Chuenpi (1841), and the Battle of the Bogue (1841). The British account described his death in the Anunghoy forts during the Battle of the Bogue on 26 February 1841 as follows: Among these [Chinese officers], the most distinguished and lamented was poor old Admiral Kwan, whose death excited much sympathy throughout the force; he fell by a bayonet wound in his breast, as he was meeting his enemy at the gate of Anunghoy, yielding up his brave spirit willingly to a soldier's death, when his life could only be preserved with the certainty of degradation. He was altogether a fine specimen of a gallant soldier, unwilling to yield when summoned to surrender because to yield would imply treason.

Source · Wikipedia · Q1935221

Battles (3)

Last verified June 2026
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