Cornwallis Biography

Charles Cornwallis was one of the most important British generals during the American Revolution. He was born December 31, 1738 and died October 5^th, 1805 in India (aged 66). He was the British general who surrendered to the American Colonists in 1781. His surrender was the Siege of Yorktown. Charles was Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He married Jemima Tullekin Jones and had two children: Mary and Charles. He suffered criticism due to the American War; some blamed him for British failures. According to historian Jerry Dupont, Cornwallis was responsible for "laying the foundation for British rule throughout India and setting standards for the services, courts, and revenue collection that remained remarkably unaltered almost to the end of the British era."

Cornwallis was born in Grosvenor Square in London and was part of an aristocratic family. He received his early education at Eton and graduated from Clare College at Cambridge. It was unlikely of aristocrats to join the military, however Cornwallis did. He distanced himself from aristocracy and actively studied military science in Italy. He participated in the Battle of Minden and then served a captain in the 85th Regiment of Foot. Then he fought with the 11th Foot at the Battle of Villinghausen and was known to be brave. When his father died he took seat at the House of Lords.

In 1776 he offered his services at the American War. He played an important role in Howe's capture of New York City. In late 1776, he was going to return to England for the winter, but was forced to stay due to American victory at Trenton. He then attacked Washington and his army at Princeton but failed and received a lot of blame for Princeton’s defeat. In 1781 his army began building fortifications at Yorktown. Washington went south with his army to lay siege to Yorktown. Cornwallis wanted to be relieved or removed; instead he was trapped with no choice but to fight. After three weeks of siege, he surrendered his army, which ended the American Revolution. He resigned from the army in 1801 and in 1805 he was sent to India where he spent about two months before dying.