Lord jeffrey amherst biography of williams college
Amherst is credited as the architect of Britain's successful campaign to conquer the territory of New France during the Seven Years' War. Under his command, British forces captured the cities of Louisbourg , Quebec City and Montreal , as well as several major fortresses. He was also the first British governor general in the territories that eventually became Canada.
Lord amherst 1908
Numerous places and streets are named after him, in both Canada and the United States. Amherst's legacy is controversial due to his expressed desire to spread smallpox among the disaffected tribes of Indians during Pontiac's War. This has led to a reconsideration of his legacy. Born the son of Jeffrey Amherst d. In February , Amherst was appointed commissar to the Hessian forces that had been assembled to defend Hanover as part of the Army of Observation: as it appeared likely a French invasion attempt against Britain itself was imminent, Amherst was ordered in April to arrange the transportation of thousands of the Germans to southern England to bolster Britain's defences.
Amherst was left dispirited by the retreat and by the Convention of Klosterzeven by which Hanover agreed to withdraw from the war: he began to prepare to disband the Hessian troops under his command, only to receive word that the Convention had been repudiated and the Allied force was being reformed. In the wake of this action, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the British army in North America and colonel-in-chief of the 60th Royal American Regiment in September The British settlers were relieved and proclaimed a day of thanksgiving.