William Amherst (British Army officer)
British Lieutenant-General and politician
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Lieutenant-General William Amherst (5 February 1732 – 13 May 1781) was a British Army officer and politician. During the Seven Years' War, he led British forces that recaptured St. John's, Newfoundland from the French at the 1762 Battle of Signal Hill.
George Germain
William Evelyn
Humphry Morice
Humphry Morice
William Amherst | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the Great Britain Parliament for Hythe | |
| In office 1766–1768 | |
| Preceded by | William Glanville George Germain |
| Succeeded by | John Sawbridge William Evelyn |
| Member of the Great Britain Parliament for Launceston | |
| In office 1768–1774 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Burrell Humphry Morice |
| Succeeded by | John Buller Humphry Morice |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 March 1732 |
| Died | 13 May 1781 (aged 49) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
Branch | British Army |
Rank | Lieutenant-General |
Conflicts | Seven Years' War |
| Relations | William Amherst, 1st Earl Amherst (son) Elizabeth Amherst Hale (daughter) |
Early life
Seven Years' War
Amherst was commissioned as an ensign in the First Regiment of Foot Guards in 1755.[2] He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant general in 1779.[2] As a lieutenant colonel, Amherst was instrumental in the re-capture of St. John's from the French in 1762 at the Battle of Signal Hill.[2] An area near Signal Hill at the entrance of St. John's harbour is named "Fort Amherst" in commemoration of his victory in 1762.
In 1766 he became Member of Parliament for Hythe,[3] and in 1768 he became MP for Launceston until 1774.[4]
In 1769 he built a house in Ryde, on the Isle of Wight. He named the house and estate St John's, after his victory in Newfoundland. The neighborhood of Ryde that surrounds the house is still known by that name.[5]
He was appointed Adjutant-General to the Forces in 1778:[6] he died while serving in that role in 1781.[7]