British Army General. He gained prominence during the Seven Years' War, called the French and Indian War in North America. Cosen to lead the assault on the French stronghold of Louisbourg in Canada and promoted to Major General, he captured Cape Breton Island in July 1758, opening the St. Lawrence River to British ships. Named then as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America, his forces closed off the French route into New York by siezing their forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, capturing Montreal, and defeating with a siege the French force at Fort Niagara. His success enabled the British to gain control of most of Canada and ended French hopes of contesting for control of North America. General Amherst was rewarded with appointment as Governor of Canada and later as Governor General of North America, and in the 1760s he returned to England as a national hero. During the American Revolution, he refused a British field command because of his ties with Americans who fought with him against the Frenchd. He was knighted in 1761, appointed a Baron in 1776, and promoted to Field Marshal shortly before his death. Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts is named for him, as are several other towns and counties throughout the United States.
British Army General. He gained prominence during the Seven Years' War, called the French and Indian War in North America. Cosen to lead the assault on the French stronghold of Louisbourg in Canada and promoted to Major General, he captured Cape Breton Island in July 1758, opening the St. Lawrence River to British ships. Named then as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America, his forces closed off the French route into New York by siezing their forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, capturing Montreal, and defeating with a siege the French force at Fort Niagara. His success enabled the British to gain control of most of Canada and ended French hopes of contesting for control of North America. General Amherst was rewarded with appointment as Governor of Canada and later as Governor General of North America, and in the 1760s he returned to England as a national hero. During the American Revolution, he refused a British field command because of his ties with Americans who fought with him against the Frenchd. He was knighted in 1761, appointed a Baron in 1776, and promoted to Field Marshal shortly before his death. Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts is named for him, as are several other towns and counties throughout the United States.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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