Eyre Coote (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eyre Coote
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| Born | 20 May 1762 |
| Died | 10 December 1823 |
Eyre Coote (20 May 1762 – 10 December 1823) was a British soldier and politician who was born in Ireland.
He was known as General Sir Eyre Coote until 1816; GCB 1815 - 1816.
Background
He was the second son of the Very Rev. Charles Coote (1713 - 12 February 1776), DD, Dean of Kilfenora. After studying at Eton and Trinity College Dublin, Coote bought a commission in the 34th Regiment of Foot - of which his uncle was colonel - in 1774.
He was soon sent to North America to fight in the Revolutionary War. He fought in the Brooklyn in August 1776, as well as at Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth Court House before finally being taken prisoner at the final Battle of Yorktown in 1781. Between 1790 and 1798, he represented Ballynakill in the Irish House of Commons. Then he sat for Maryborough until 1800.
He served in England and Ireland when they were threatened by French invasion and against the French on the Continent. He went on to serve in Holland, Egypt and eventually became Governor-General of Jamaica (1806–1808) where he possibly sired an ancestor of Colin Powell.
