Archibald Campbell (British Army officer, born 1739) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Archibald Campbell
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Archibald Campbell by George Romney, c.1792, wearing the uniform of a major-general and the star of the Order of the Bath, and with Madras's Fort St. George in the background
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| Member of Parliament for Stirling Burghs |
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| In office 1789–1791 |
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| Preceded by | James Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Cochrane-Johnstone |
| In office 1774–1780 |
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| Preceded by | James Masterton |
| Succeeded by | James Campbell |
| Governor of Madras | |
| In office 1786–1789 |
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| Preceded by | George Macartney |
| Succeeded by | William Medows |
| Governor of Jamaica | |
| In office 1781–1784 |
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| Preceded by | John Dalling |
| Succeeded by | Alured Clarke |
| Governor of Georgia | |
| In office 1778–1779 |
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| Preceded by | James Wright |
| Succeeded by | Jacques Marcus Prevost |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 August 1739 Inveraray, Scotland |
| Died | 31 March 1791 (aged 51) Upper Grosvenor Street, London |
| Resting place | Westminster Abbey |
| Relations | General George Campbell of Inverneill, C.B., K.A Colonel Alexander Campbell of Possil, General George Carter-Campbell, Willoughby Harcourt Carter, General Sir James Campbell of Inverneill, Colonel Duncan Carter-Campbell of Possil |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1758–1789 |
| Rank | Major-general |
| Battles/wars | Seven Years' War American War of Independence |
Sir Archibald Campbell (born August 21, 1739 – died March 31, 1791) was an important Scottish soldier and politician. He served as a governor in different places like Georgia, Jamaica, and Madras (now Chennai). He was also a big landowner in Scotland and a member of the House of Commons, which is part of the British Parliament.
Contents
Archibald Campbell's Early Life
Archibald Campbell was born in Inveraray, Scotland, and was baptized on August 24, 1739. He was the second son of James Campbell and Elizabeth Fisher. His family lived at Dunderave Castle. He was supported by important people like Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll and Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville.
Becoming a Soldier and Engineer
Archibald Campbell studied at Glasgow University and then at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In 1758, he joined the Royal Engineers. He fought in the Seven Years' War and was hurt during the Siege of Quebec in 1759. He also took part in attacks along the coast of France and in the West Indies.
In 1768, Colonel Campbell became the chief engineer for the British East India Company in Bengal, India. He successfully led the building of Fort William in Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Building Wealth in India
While in Calcutta, Campbell started to become very wealthy. He and Captain Henry Watson invested in a dockyard and built and repaired ships. He also made a lot of money by trading silk. Campbell used his new wealth to buy large areas of land in his home region of Argyll, Scotland. He spent over £30,000 buying estates like the Island of Danna and Inverneill.
In 1774, Campbell became a Member of Parliament for the Stirling Burghs. This was after a difficult election. His guardian, Viscount Melville, helped him win.
Captured During the American Revolution
After becoming a Member of Parliament, Colonel Campbell went to America to fight in the American Revolutionary War. He commanded the 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser's Highlanders. In 1776, he was captured by American forces after a battle in Boston Harbor. He was held prisoner until 1778.
Campbell's capture happened around the same time the British captured American heroes Ethan Allen and General Charles Lee. There were rumors that these prisoners were being treated badly. This led to complaints and letters between Viscount Howe (British) and George Washington (American) about Campbell's treatment.
By February 1777, Campbell complained about his situation from Concord Jail. Washington and the Congress soon said they didn't mean for him to suffer. By May, his conditions improved, and he was allowed more freedom within Concord. During his time as a prisoner of war, he was even able to buy more land in Scotland. On May 6, 1778, he was finally released in a prisoner exchange for Ethan Allen.
Leading in Georgia
Six months after his release, Campbell was ordered to lead 3,000 soldiers from New York to Georgia. In December 1778, his army won the Battle of Savannah. They also won another victory at Augusta, Georgia.
People on both sides of the war praised Campbell for being fair and humane. An American officer, Alexander Green, said that Campbell cared about the people living there and was not bitter towards his former captors. Green also said that American soldiers feared Campbell because he was a very skilled commander.
Campbell became the temporary governor of Georgia. He then named Jacques Marcus Prevost as his replacement before returning to England.
Marriage and Family Life
In July 1779, after returning to England, Archibald Campbell married Amelia Ramsay (1755–1813). Amelia's father, Allan Ramsay, was a famous painter for King George III. Amelia's great-uncle was William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, an important judge.
Governor of Jamaica
After the American Revolution, Campbell became a major general and was appointed Governor of Jamaica in 1781. This was a very important time because British forces in America were struggling. The French had joined the Americans and were threatening the British islands in the Caribbean. They captured several islands like Tobago and St. Kitts.
However, Campbell planned very well in Jamaica. He was successful in training local troops and was always watchful. Because of his efforts, the French did not dare to attack Jamaica without more soldiers.
Campbell also helped British troops in America by sending them information, extra soldiers, and supplies. He even lent some of his troops to serve as marines. This greatly helped Admiral Rodney win a major victory against François Joseph Paul de Grasse at the Battle of the Saintes. This victory saved Jamaica from a French invasion.
Campbell's wife, Amelia, and her sister had a dangerous journey to join him in Jamaica. Their ship was the only one in their group to make it through after being attacked by French and Spanish ships. When Campbell returned from Jamaica, he was given the honor of Knight of the Order of the Bath.
Governor of Madras
In 1786, Campbell was appointed commander-in-chief and governor of Madras (now Chennai) in India. Madras had been tired from wars, so Campbell focused on making peaceful improvements.
He created several new departments to improve how the government worked. He started a military board, a hospital board, a board of revenue, and a board of trade. He also improved the police force and set up a stock exchange and a bank. He built an astronomical observatory and started an orphan asylum (a home for children without parents). He worked hard to improve almost every part of the government in Madras.
Sadly, Campbell became ill and had to leave India in February 1789. He retired from his governor role in 1790.
Later Years and Legacy
When he returned home, he received the title of Usher of the White Rod. The Institution of Royal Engineers called Campbell "the most brilliant of the engineers who served in India during the eighteenth century."
He caught a cold after traveling from Scotland and died on March 31, 1791, at his new home in London. He was only 52 years old. His money, land, and political titles went to his two brothers, and his wife received £25,000.
Campbell and his wife did not have any children. They were both buried at Westminster Abbey in Poets' Corner, near Handel's Monument.
Images for kids
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A south west View of Fort Royal in the Island of Guadaloupe, circa 1759 as sketched by Campbell
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Campbell's sketch of Lord Rollo's expedition to Dominica in 1761
