George Drought Warburton facts for kids
George Drought Warburton (1816–1857) was an Irish soldier, writer, and politician. He was known for his books about Canada and his time serving in the British army.
Early Life and Military Career
George Drought Warburton was born in Wicklow, Ireland, in 1816. He was the third son of George Warburton and the younger brother of Bartholomew Elliott George Warburton, who was also a writer.
George studied at the Royal Military College, Woolwich, which is a famous military school. After his training, he joined the Royal Artillery in June 1833. This meant he was part of the army unit that used cannons and other big guns.
In 1837, George was sent to Spain to help a special group called the Auxiliary Legion. During his time there, he was seriously injured in a battle.
Later, in July 1844, he traveled from Chatham, England, to Canada. He stayed in Canada for about two years before returning to England in 1846. After that, he was stationed at Landguard Fort, which is near Harwich in Essex.
In November 1854, Warburton left the army as a major. He then lived at Henley House in Frant, Sussex.
A Writer and Politician
George Drought Warburton was not just a soldier; he was also a talented writer. One of his most famous books was Hochelaga; or England in the New World, published in 1846. This book described Canada using its old name, Hochelaga. It was first published without his name on it, but it became very popular and was printed many times. It was even published in New York, though the part about the United States was not very positive.
He also wrote other books, including:
- The Conquest of Canada (1850): This book was also published without his name at first. It was very popular in England and also came out in New York.
- Memoir of Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough and Monmouth (1853): This book was about a famous historical figure.
On March 28, 1857, George Warburton was chosen to represent Harwich in the British Parliament. He was elected as an independent liberal member, meaning he didn't belong to one of the main political parties and could make his own decisions.
Sadly, George Drought Warburton died later that year, on October 23, 1857, at his home. He was only 41 years old. He was buried in Iffley, near Oxford.
Family Life
George Warburton married Elizabeth Augusta Bateman-Hanbury on June 1, 1853. She was the daughter of William Hanbury Bateman, 1st Baron Bateman. They had one daughter, who later married Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill.
