| John Burgoyne | |
|---|---|
| February 24, 1722 – August 4, 1792 | |
 General John Burgoyne |
|
| Nickname | Gentleman Johnny |
| Place of birth | Sutton |
| Allegiance | .svg/22px-Union_flag_1606_(Kings_Colors).svg.png){kind=small} Great Britain |
| Service/branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1743 - 1777, 1782 - 1784 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Commander-in-Chief, Ireland |
| Battles/wars | Seven Years' War American War of Independance |
| Awards | Privy Council of Great Britain |
| Other work | Member of Parliament |
General John Burgoyne (February 24, 1722 – August 4, 1792) was the British army officer, politician and dramatist. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1722 ( MDCCXXII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Year 1743 ( MDCCXLIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1782 ( MDCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1784 ( MDCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The office of Commander-in-Chief Ireland was the commander of British forces in Ireland before 1922 The Seven Years' War (1756&ndash1763 involved all of the major European powers of the period causing 900000 to 1400000 deaths In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1722 ( MDCCXXII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is a person who writes dramatic literature or Drama. During the American Revolutionary War, on October 17, 1777, at Saratoga he surrendered his army of 6,000 men. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Background See also Saratoga campaign The British plan and Howe's blunder The original conception of the campaign had been for Burgoyne with some eight The Convention Army ( 1777 &ndash 1783) was an army of British and allied troops captured after the Battles of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary
Contents |
Early biography
John Burgoyne was born on February 24, 1722 in Sutton near (and now part of) London. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1722 ( MDCCXXII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Sutton is the principal town in the London Borough of Sutton. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. He attended the prestigious Westminster School as did many British army officers of the time. The Royal College of St Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain 's leading boys' Independent schools with In 1740 he purchased a commission in the 13th Light Dragoons, a fashionable cavalry regiment, and soon acquired the nickname "Gentleman Johnny". He became well known for his stylish uniforms and general high living which saw him run up large debts. A uniform is a set of standard Clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity Debt is that which is owed usually referencing Assets owed but the term can cover other obligations He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1741. Lieutenant (abbreviated Lt or Lieut) is a Military, Naval, Paramilitary, Fire service, Emergency medical services
In 1743 Burgoyne eloped with Lady Charlotte Stanley the daughter of one of Britain's leading politicians Lord Derby, after which he lived abroad for seven years. Edward Stanley 11th Earl of Derby ( 27 September 1689 – 22 February 1776) known as Sir Edward Stanley 5th Baronet, from 1714 to By Lord Derby's intervention, in an act of forgiveness, Burgoyne was then reinstated at the outbreak of the Seven Years' War (known to English speakers in North America as The French and Indian War), and in 1758 he became captain and lieutenant-colonel in the Coldstream Guards. The Seven Years' War (1756&ndash1763 involved all of the major European powers of the period causing 900000 to 1400000 deaths The French and Indian War (1754&ndash1763 was the North American chapter of the Seven Years' War. Her Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards (COLDM GDS is a Regiment of the British Army, part of
After the death of his wife in 1776, Burgoyne had 4 children by his mistress Susan Caulfield; one was Field Marshal John Fox Burgoyne father of Royal Navy Captain Hugh Talbot Burgoyne Victoria Cross. Field Marshal Sir John Fox Burgoyne 1st Baronet GCB ( July 24, 1782 &ndash October 7, 1871) was a senior British Captain Hugh Talbot Burgoyne VC RN ( 17 July 1833 &ndash 7 September 1870) was an Irish recipient
Seven Years War
In 1758–59, he participated in several expeditions made against the French coast, and in the later year he was instrumental in introducing light cavalry into the British Army. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Light cavalry refers to lightly-armed and armored troops mounted on Horses, as opposed to Heavy cavalry, where the riders (and sometimes the horses are heavily armored The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The two regiments then formed were commanded by George Eliott (afterwards Lord Heathfield) and Burgoyne. Baron Heathfield, of Gibraltar, is an extinct title in the Peerage of Great Britain. This was a revolutionary step, and Burgoyne was a pioneer in the early development of British Light Cavalry. Burgoyne admired independent thought amongst common soldiers, and encouraged his men to use their own initiative which was in stark contrast to the established system employed at the time by the British army.
In 1761, he sat in parliament for Midhurst, and in the following year he served as a Brigadier-general in Portugal, winning particular distinction by his capture of Valencia de Alcántara and of Vila Velha de Ródão, playing a major part in repulsing a large Spanish force bent on invading Portugal. Midhurst is a Market town and Civil parish in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Valencia de Alcántara (Population 1689 is a Spanish town near the Portuguese border(Portalegre district Vila Velha de Ródão (ˈvilɐ ˈvɛʎɐ dɨ ˈʁɔdɐ̃w̃ is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 329 The Spanish invasion of Portugal was a military campaign as part of the Seven Years' War, between May 9 and November 24 1762.
In 1768, he became a member of Parliament for Preston, and for the next few years he occupied himself chiefly with his parliamentary duties, in which he was remarkable for his general outspokenness and, in particular, for his attacks on Lord Clive, who was at the time considered the nation's leading soldier. Preston ( ˈprɛstən is a city and local government district in Lancashire, England, located on the River Ribble. Clive of India redirects here For the film see Clive of India (film.
At the same time, he devoted much attention to art and drama (his first play, The Maid of the Oaks, being produced by David Garrick in 1775). David Garrick (born 19 February 1717 in Hereford &ndash 20 January 1779) was an English Actor, Playwright,
Early Revolutionary War
In the army he had become a major-general. On the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, he was appointed to a command. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" He arrived in Boston in 1775 a few weeks after the first shots of the war had been fired at Lexington and Concord. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. He participated as part of the garrison during the Siege of Boston, although he did not see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill like many of his contemporaries. Background Prior to 1775 the British had imposed taxes onto the Americans which they did not take kindly to The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775 on Breed's Hill, as part of the Siege of Boston during the American Revolutionary Frustrated by the lack of opportunities he returned to England, long before the rest of the garrison evacuated the city in March 1776. [1]
In 1776, he was at the head of the British reinforcements that sailed down the Saint Lawrence River designed both to relieve Quebec which was under siege by the Continental army and for a subsequent invasion of the colonies from Canada. Saint Lawrence River (in French: fleuve Saint-Laurent; Kahnawáˀkye in Tuscarora, Kaniatarowanenneh meaning big waterway Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The British successfully relieved the besieged garrison, but their attempts to invade New York failed largely, Burgoyne believed, because of a lack of boldness by the British commander. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous
Saratoga
The following year, having convinced King George III and his government of General Carleton's faults, Burgoyne took his place. George III (George William Frederick 4 June 1738 George III's long reign was marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdom much of the rest of Europe and places Guy Carleton 1st Baron Dorchester, KB ( Strabane, Co Tyrone Ireland September 3, 1722 &ndash November 10, 1808 Stubbings In 1777 he was given command of the British forces in Canada and charged with the implementation of a plan largely of his own creation that would see Burgoyne and his force crossing Lake Champlain before advancing on Albany, New York where they would rendezvous with another British army coming North from New York city and thereby, it was believed, end the entire war virtually at a stroke. Lake Champlain (French lac Champlain) is a natural freshwater Lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County. The City of New York
From the beginning Burgoyne was vastly overconfident. Leading what he believed was an overwhelming force, he saw the campaign largely as a stroll that would make him a national hero who had saved the rebel colonies for the crown. Before leaving London he had wagered a friend ten pounds that he would return victorious within a year. He refused to heed more cautious voices, both British and American, that suggested a successful campaign using the route he proposed was impossible, as the failed attempt the previous year had shown. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
Underlining the plan was the belief that Burgoyne's aggressive thrust from Canada would be aided by the movements of two other large British forces under General Howe and Sir Henry Clinton who would support the advance. William Howe 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC ( 10 August 1729 &ndash 12 July 1814) was a British General who Henry Clinton may refer to Henry Clinton (1730–1795 (General Sir (1730–1795 who fought during the American Revolutionary War William However the orders dispatched from London were not clear on this point, meaning that Howe took no action to support Burgoyne, while Clinton moved from New York too late and in too little strength to be any great help to Burgoyne. York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England.
This left Burgoyne to conduct the campaign largely single-handedly. Even though he was not aware of this yet, he could still be reasonably confident of success. Having amassed an army of over 7,000 troops in Canada - Burgoyne was also led to believe by reports that he could rely on the support of large numbers of Native Americans and American Loyalists who would rally to the flag once the British came South. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States This article concerns Loyalists in the American Revolution. For information on the role of those Loyalists in Canadian history after their emigration see United Empire Even if the countryside was not as pro-British as expect, much of the area between Lake Champlain and Albany was underpopulated anyway, and Burgoyne was skeptical any major enemy force could gather there. Lake Champlain (French lac Champlain) is a natural freshwater Lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County.
The campaign was initially successful. Burgoyne gained possession of the vital outposts of Fort Ticonderoga (for which he was made a lieutenant-general) and Fort Edward, but, pushing on, was detached from his communications with Canada, and hemmed in by a superior force, led by Horatio Gates, at Saratoga. Fort Ticonderoga is a large Eighteenth-century Fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access Horatio Lloyd Gates ( circa 1727&ndash 10 April 1806) was a British soldier turned American General during the Revolutionary Background See also Saratoga campaign The British plan and Howe's blunder The original conception of the campaign had been for Burgoyne with some eight Several attempts to break through the enemy lines were repulsed. On October 17, 1777, his troops, 5,800 in number, laid down their arms. Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Convention Army ( 1777 &ndash 1783) was an army of British and allied troops captured after the Battles of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary The success was the greatest the colonists had yet gained, and it proved the turning-point in the war in the Northern Theatre.
Rather than an outright unconditional surrender, Burgoyne had agreed to a Convention that would involve his men surrendering their weapons, and returning to Europe with a pledge not to return to North America. John Trumbull ( June 6, 1756 &ndash November 10, 1843) was an American artist during the period of the American Revolutionary Unconditional surrender is a surrender without conditions except for those provided by International law. Burgoyne had been most insistent on this point, even suggesting he would try to fight his way back to Canada if it was not agreed. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Soon afterwards the Continental Congress, urged by George Washington, repudiated the treaty and imprisoned the remnants of the army in Massachusetts and Virginia, where they were sometimes maltreated . The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state This widely seen as revenge for the poor British treatment of Continental prisoners.
Following Saratoga, the indignation in Britain against Burgoyne was great. He returned at once, with the leave of the American general, to defend his conduct and demanded but never obtained a trial. He was deprived of his regiment and a governorship which he held. Following the defeat, France recognized the United States and entered the war on February 6, 1778, transforming it into a global conflict. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 1778 ( MDCCLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or
While Burgoyne was at the time widely held to blame for the defeat, over the years responsibility for the disaster at Saratoga shifted to Lord George Germain, the Secretary of State for the Colonies - who had overseen the overall strategy for the campaign and had significantly neglected to order General William Howe commander of another larger army in North America to move and support Burgoyne's invasion, instead leaving him to believe he was free to launch his own attack on the rebel capital at Philadelphia, thereby leaving Burgoyne stranded and outnumbered at Saratoga. George Germain 1st Viscount Sackville PC ( 26 January 1716 &ndash 26 August 1785) also known previously first as Lord George The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet official in charge of managing the various British Colonies. William Howe may refer to William Howe (actor (born 1994 actor William Howe (architect, patented Howe Truss for covered bridges Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə
Later life
In 1782, however, when his political friends came into office, he was restored to his rank, given a colonelcy and made commander-in-chief in Ireland and a privy councillor. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. After the fall of the Rockingham government in 1783, Burgoyne withdrew more and more into private life, his last public service being his participation in the impeachment of Warren Hastings. Warren Hastings ( December 6 1732 - August 22 1818) was the first Governor-General of Bengal, from 1773 to 1785 Burgoyne is buried in Westminster Abbey, in the North Walk of the Cloisters, where he was a student as a child and he spent the remaining years of his life. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church
Dramatist
In his time Burgoyne was a notable playwright. A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is a person who writes dramatic literature or Drama. He wrote a number of hit plays - the most notable of which were The Maid of the Oaks and The Heiress. Had it not been for his role at Saratoga, Burgoyne would most likely be foremost remembered today as a dramatist. A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is a person who writes dramatic literature or Drama.
Popular culture
- Burgoyne appears in the historical novel Jack Absolute by Chris Humphreys set during the Saratoga campaign, and in its prequel The Blooding of Jack Absolute and sequel Absolute Honor. Chris Humphreys is a British actor playwright and novelist Born in Toronto Canada, he was raised in Los Angeles California until the age of seven
- Burgoyne appeared in George Bernard Shaw's play The Devil's Disciple, and was portrayed by Sir Laurence Olivier in the 1959 film of that play. George Bernard Shaw ( (26 July 1856 &ndash 2 November 1950 was an Irish Playwright. The Devil's Disciple is the only full-length play by G Bernard Shaw set in America It is a melodrama though not without humor particularly in the character Laurence Kerr Olivier Baron
External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- Portrait of John Burgoyne at the Frick Collection
- Westminster Abbey
- Ancestors of General John Burgoyne
- Map from a London Newspaper 1778 [1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Irwin |
Commander-in-Chief, Ireland 1782–1784 |
Succeeded by Sir William Augustus Pitt |
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