General Cornwallis

Charles Cornwallis was born at Grosvenor Square, London on December 31, 1738. He graduated from Clare College at Cambridge, was elected to enter the military. After purchasing a commission as an ensign in the 1st Foot Guards on December 8, 1757.he became a British general who fought against the Americans in many different battles during the Revolutionary War. The most important one was the Battle of Yorktown where the British surrendered. Cornwallis was unable to defeat the American and French forces.

In 1776, Cornwallis arrived in America with the rank of major general, by 1780, he was responsible for the entire British campaign in the South. At first Cornwallis was successful against the American forces. January, 1781, was a turning point, when he was defeated by Nathanael Greene's army in South Carolina. In August 1781 while the new British troops arrived, the French were ready to attack. The American and French troops had cornered the British. Cornwallis's forces had to surrender. The British surrender at Yorktown led to the end of the Revolutionary War.

After the war, he accepted the post of governor-general of India on February 23, 1786. He proved an able administrator and a gifted reformer. Upon the end of his term, he was made 1st Marquess Cornwallis and was sent to Ireland as governor-general. He aided in passing the Act of Union which united the English and Irish parliaments. Resigning from the army in 1801, he was again sent to India four years later. His second term was short as he died on October 5, 1805.
- Rebeka Houghton