Campbell was born Colin Macliver, the eldest of the four children of John Macliver, a cabinetmaker in Glasgow, and Agnes Macliver (née Campbell). His mother and one of his twin sisters died while he was still a boy. His only brother was killed fighting in the Peninsular War.
Colin Campbell was educated at the High School of Glasgow his uncle, Major John Campbell, took over his care and sent him to the Royal Military and Naval Academy at Gosport.
Colin Campbell entered the army as an ensign in 1808 and served with bravery in the Peninsular War from 1810 to 1813. From 1849 to 1852 he served as commander of the North West Frontier in India, and was appointed commander in chief in India in 1857 on the outbreak of the Sepoy Mutiny. Campbell subdued lower Bengal and fought his way to the relief of Lucknow. In 1858 he restored British rule to northern India. Campbell was promoted to the rank of general, made Baron Clyde in 1858, and field marshal in 1862. He left India in 1860 and died at Chatham, England, on Aug. 14, 1863.
Campbell was rewarded for his Indian victory in 1858 with the title of Baron Clyde and an annual pension of 2, 000 British pounds.
Campbell never married or fathered any children.
