Lieutenant-Colonel John Pitt Kennedy, British military engineer, agricultural reformer and civil servant, is born at Carndonagh, County Donegal on May 8, 1796.
Kennedy is educated at Foyle College, Derry, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, becoming lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in 1815. Four years afterwards, he is sent to Malta, and thence to Corfu. He superintends the construction of a canal at Lefkada in 1820, serves next under Sir Charles James Napier at Cephalonia building lighthouses, roads, and quays, and is sub-inspector of militia in the Ionian Islands (1828–31).
During a period in India Kennedy meets Sir Charles James Napier and when he returns to Ireland he sets up agricultural schools designed to improve the economy of the country. One is at Cloghan near Ballybofey, and another at Eglinton near Derry. He becomes a farm manager and marries Anna, daughter of Sir Charles Styles, who owns large estates around Ballybofey, in 1838. Kennedy′s methods of improving the condition of the agricultural classes are indicated by the title of his work, Instruct; Employ; Don’t Hang Them: or Ireland Tranquilized without Soldiers and Enriched without English Capital (1835). He writes several others of similar nature, and as inspector general for Irish education (1837), as secretary to the Devon Commission (1843), and to the Famine Relief Committee (1845), his labours are unceasing in behalf of his native land.
Kennedy returns to the army in 1849 as military secretary to Sir Charles Napier and accompanies him to India, where he builds the military road named after him and extending from Kalka via Shimla to Kunawur and Tibet. He publishes British Home and Colonial Empire (1865–69), as well as a number of technical works relating to his Indian career. He also serves as District Grandmaster of Bengal.
John Pitt Kennedy dies in 1879 and is buried in Highgate Cemetery (East) in Highgate, London Borough of Camden, Greater London, England.
(Pictured: John Pitt Kennedy gravesite in Highgate Cemetery, London)
seamus dubhghaill 
August 26, 2021 at 9:53 AM
Hi Jim – nice to see your tribute page for John Pitt Kennedy, but thought you might like to know that he and Napier met long before their periods. in India. In the 1820s Napier was ‘Resident’ (military job title) on the island of Cephalonia (Kefalonia) and Kennedy worked with him designing many projects on the island, most significantly the road network over very mountainous terrain.
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August 26, 2021 at 10:14 AM
Hello, Lucy! Thank you for dropping by my Irish history blog! Thank you also for the additional information about Kennedy and Napier. Best wishes!
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March 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Dear Mr. Jim Doyle,
(Leader of the Seamus Dubhghaill Blog)
My name is Anastase (Tassos) Nodaros, and I am writing to you from faraway Athens, Greece. I was born on the Greek island of Cephalonia, which, in the distant past, was part of the United States of the Ionian Islands, a Protectorate under British rule from 1809 to 1864.
During the period from 1822 to 1830, Colonel Sir Charles James Napier served as the Military Resident (Governor) of Cephalonia. Along with his able Secretary and close associate, Engineer Captain John Pitt Kennedy (1796-1879), they designed and implemented many significant projects on the island. These included lighthouses, public buildings, marketplaces, a marine parade, quays, courthouses, prisons, hospitals, and, most notably, an extensive road network (including bridges) across the mountainous terrain of the island.
As a result of their hard work and valuable services, these officers earned immense gratitude and appreciation from the people of Cephalonia.
I am currently writing a historical article about these two individuals, who left an indelible mark on Cephalonia. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in finding a photograph of an image or portrait of John Pitt Kennedy. If you could send it to me via email, I would be very grateful.
Additionally, if you could refer me to a competent museum or relevant library in the Donegal area or elsewhere in Ireland, that would be helpful. Alternatively, if a colleague or friend of yours happen to have such an image, that would be fantastic as well. (Please note that there are several images available for C.J. Napier.)
I am willing to cover any expenses that may arise from this request. Thank you very much in advance, and I look forward to your prompt reply.
Yours faithfully,
Tassos Nodaros
(E-mail: anodaros@otenet.gr
Mob. Tel.: +30 6977-284721)
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March 28, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Hello, Tasso! Thank you for visiting my site and for the information. I will try to locate a photo of John Pitt Kennedy. I also have a couple of friends who are in or are from Donegal. I’ll ask them if they can recommend a local library or museum. Best wishes!
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