John Burgoyne
1722 AD - 1792 AD
AKA Gentleman Johnny

British army officer, dramatist and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1761 to 1792, and is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War.

He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.

During the American Revolutionary War, Burgoyne planned and lead an invasion moving south from Canada in order to split away New England from the other colonies and end the rebellion.

Burgoyne advanced from Canada but his slow movement allowed the Americans to concentrate their forces. Instead of coming to his aid according to the overall plan, the British Army in New York City moved south to capture Philadelphia. Burgoyne fought two small battles near Saratoga but was surrounded by American forces and, with no relief in sight, surrendered his entire army of 6,200 men on 17 October 1777. His surrender, says historian Edmund Morgan, "was a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory."

• Spouse
• C
  Charlotte Stanley

  04/1751 AD
No children in database