Edward Paget
Sir Edward Paget | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 4thGovernor of British Ceylon | |
| Monarch | George IV |
| Preceded by | Edward Barnes (Acting governor) |
| Succeeded by | James Campbell (Acting governor) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 November 1775 |
| Died | 13 May 1849(aged 73) |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Peninsular War |
GeneralSir Edward PagetGCB(3 November 1775 – 13 May 1849) was aBritish Armyofficer.
Career
[edit]Born the fourth son ofHenry Paget, 1st Earl of Uxbridge,Edward Paget became acornetin the1st Regiment of Life Guardsin 1792.[1]He wasMember of Parliament(MP) forCaernarvon Boroughsfrom 1796 to 1806.
In 1808, he was withJohn MooreinGothenburgassist the Swedishin theFinnish War.Moore's disagreements withGustavus IVsoon led to their being sent home where they were ordered toPortugal.
He served in theBritish Armyduring thePeninsular Warcommanding the reserve at theBattle of Corunnain 1809 and then conducting the advance toOportoin 1809, during which he lost his right arm.[2]He was second in command underArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellingtonin 1811[2]and was captured by French cavalry in 1812 and kept a prisoner for two years until the end of the War.[3]
From 1816 to 1821 he was aGroom of the Bedchamberin the service ofGeorge IV,including a period 1816-1820 when the latter was Prince Regent during the mental illness of his father,George III.
Briefly serving as theGovernor of Ceylonin 1822, he was appointedCommander-in-Chief,India on 13 January 1823 and conducted theBurmese campaignsof 1824 to 1825,[2]relinquishing his role of as Commander-in-Chief on 7 October 1825. He commanded the British troops who suppressed theBarrackpore mutiny of 1824.In 1826 he was appointedGovernorof theRoyal Military College, Sandhurst.[1]He was also Governor of theRoyal Hospital Chelseafrom 1837 until 1849.[2]
His eldest brotherHenry William, 2nd Earl of Uxbridge(1768–1854), was in 1815 createdMarquess of Angleseyand is best remembered for leading the charge of the heavy cavalry at theBattle of Waterloo.The third eldest brother,Sir Arthur Paget(1771–1840), was an eminent diplomat during theNapoleonic Wars,the fifth, SirCharles Paget(1778–1839),[4]served with distinction in the navy, and rose to the rank of vice-admiral.
Legacy
[edit]The Memorials to Governors in the Chapel of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst includes:
In Memory of General the Honble. Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B., Colonel 28th Foot. Died 13th May, 1849, aged 73 years. His war services are as follows: —Holland, Nimeguen, Gueldermalsen, 1794-5; Cape St. Vincent, 1797 Minorca, 1798; Egypt, three actions, wounded, 1801; Bremen, 1805; Sicily, 1806-7; Sweden and Portugal, 1808; Corunna and Passage of the Douro, lost right arm, 1809; Second-in-Command to Wellington, Retreat from Burgos, taken prisoner, 1812. Commander-in-Chief in India, 1822-25. Governor of this College, 1826-37. Afterwards Governor of Chelsea Hospital.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ab.Dictionary of National Biography.London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- ^abcdH. Godfrey, ed. (1927),Survey of London,vol. 11, pp. 37–60
- ^"Letter from Edwin Bartlett".War Letters.1 January 1813. Archived fromthe originalon 25 December 2008.Retrieved24 August2017.
- ^Burkes Peerage(1939 edition, s.v. Anglesey, Marquess of
- ^Mockler-Ferryman, Major Augustus F. (1900).Annals of Sandhurst: a chronicle of the Royal Military College from its foundation to the present day, with a sketch of the history of the Staff College.London: William Heinemann. p. 76.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- Governors of British Ceylon
- 1775 births
- 1849 deaths
- British Army generals
- British Army commanders of the Napoleonic Wars
- British Army personnel of the Peninsular War
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- British Commanders-in-Chief of India
- Governors of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst
- Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Welsh constituencies
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Welsh constituencies
- UK MPs 1801–1802
- UK MPs 1802–1806
- Younger sons of earls
- Paget family
- British Life Guards officers
- English amputees
- Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Caernarfon
- British MPs 1796–1800
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Caernarfon