The article is devoted to one of the aspects of interaction between the press and society. The author examines the personified approach used bythe British war correspondent A. Forbesto display thetheme of war –the creation of a psychophysical and professional portrait ofmilitary leaders of the second half of the 19th century. It is shown that A. Forbes singles out F. Karl and M. Skobelev as examples of combining special service qualities with romantic features of a heroic image. It is concluded that A.