Amherst, JEFFREY

Amherst, JEFFREY, Baron Amherst, born at Riverhead, Kent, in 1717, as a boy was a page to the Duke of Dorset, who in 1731 procured him an ensigny in the guards. In 1758 Pitt gave him the command of the expedition against the French in Canada; and Canada was ours by the autumn of 1760, thanks to his prudence and to Wolfe's enthusiasm. This was the great achievement of his life, though in 1772 he became officiating commander-in-chief, and in 1796 a field-marshal, having been raised to the peerage in 1776. He died at Montreal, his Kentish seat, 3d August 1797.—His nephew, WILLIAM PITT AMHERST, Earl Amherst of Arrakan, was born in 1773, and succeeded as second baron in 1797. His embassy to China (1816) failed through his manly refusal to 'kotow' to the emperor; but, in spite of that failure, he received in 1823 the governor-generalship of India. For the successful first Burmese war, and for the capture of Bhurtpore, he was rewarded with an earldom in 1826. Two years later he returned to England, and, after nearly thirty years of comparative retirement, died at Knole Park, Kent, 13th March 1857.