George Beckwith (British Army officer)
| Sir George Beckwith | |
|---|---|
 Sir George Beckwith | |
| Born | 1753 |
| Died | 20 March 1823 (aged 69–70) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Ireland |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight of the Order of the Bath |
General Sir George Beckwith KB (1753 – 20 March 1823) was a British Army officer.
Military career
Beckwith was commissioned into the 37th Regiment of Foot in 1771. He distinguished himself as a regimental officer in the American Revolutionary War, where he was assistant to Major Oliver Delancey responsible for British Intelligence. In July 1782 he replaced Delancey and after the war he worked for Sir Guy Carleton in Canada. His efforts were aimed at stirring up trouble in Vermont, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. At the time Britain thought the weak American government might ask for British help.[1]
He was then appointed Governor of Bermuda in 1797, Governor of Saint Vincent in 1806 and Governor of Barbados in 1810.[2]
He was made a K.B. for his Capture of Martinique in 1809 and also led a successful expedition against Guadeloupe, the last French possession in the area, in 1810. He attained the full rank of General in 1814. Sir George Beckwith was Commander-in-Chief, Ireland from 1816 to 1820. He died in London on 20 March 1823.[2]
Family
His father was Major General John Beckwith, who commanded the 20th Regiment of Foot. His brothers were Captain John Beckwith, Thomas Sydney Beckwith and Brigadier General Ferdinand Beckwith. He was also the uncle of Major-General John Charles Beckwith.
References
- ↑ Spain 2004.
- 1 2 Bolton 1885, p. 88-89.
- Bibliography
Bolton, Augustus Samuel (1885). "Beckwith, George". In Stephen, Leslie. Dictionary of National Biography. 4. London: Smith, Elder & Co. - Spain, Jonathan (2004). "Beckwith, Sir George (1752/3–1823)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/1911. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Henry Tucker |
Governor of Bermuda 1798–1803 |
Succeeded by Henry Tucker |
| Preceded by Henry William Bentinck |
Governor of Saint Vincent 1806–1808 |
Succeeded by Charles Brisbane |
| Preceded by John Spooner acting |
Governor of Barbados 1810–1815 |
Succeeded by James Leith |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir Brent Spencer |
Colonel of the 2nd West India Regiment 1809–1818 |
Succeeded by Henry Torrens |
| Preceded by Sir George Hewett |
Commander-in-Chief, Ireland 1816–1820 |
Succeeded by Sir David Baird |
| Preceded by The Earl of Lindsey |
Colonel of the 89th Regiment of Foot 1818–1823 |
Succeeded by Sir Robert Henry MacFarlane |