Augustus Leopold Kuper

Admiral Sir Augustus Leopold Kuper (16 August 1809 – 28 October 1885) was a Royal Navy officer known for his commands in East Asia.

Naval career Born in 1809 in England, Kuper was a son of Wilhelm Kuper, D.D., a German-born Lutheran pastor who from 1802 until 1861 was the chaplain of the Royal German Chapel at St James's Palace, Westminster, and was also chaplain to Queen Adelaide. The young Kuper joined the navy in 1823 as a midshipman. On 20 February 1830 he became a lieutenant.

From 27 July 1839, he was a lieutenant and acting captain of Pelorous. While he was captain Pelorus wrecked on 25 November by a cyclone at Port Essington.

In 1864 Kuper was in command of the International fleet at the Shimonoseki Expedition, Japan, the action fought to reopen the Inland Sea and the Straits of Shimonoseki.

Family On 19 June 1837 he married Emma Margaret, eldest daughter of Rear Admiral Sir Gordon Bremer. Kuper had served under Bremer during the Opium Wars.