John Burgoyne facts for kids

John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
	Portrait by Joshua Reynolds, c. 1766
Nickname	Gentleman Johnny
Born	24 February 1722; Sutton, Bedfordshire, England
Died	4 August 1792 (aged 70); Mayfair, London, England
Buried at	Westminster Abbey
Allegiance	Great Britain
Service/branch	United Kingdom Army
Years of service	1743–1777; 1782–1784
Rank	General
Commands held	Commander-in-Chief, Ireland
Battles/wars	Seven Years' War; American War of Independence Saratoga campaign ;
Awards	Privy Council of Great Britain
Other work	Member of the House of Commons of Parliament

General John Burgoyne (24 February 1722 – 4 August 1792) was a British army officer, dramatist and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1761 to 1792. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.

John Burgoyne is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War. He designed an invasion scheme and was appointed to command a force moving south from Canada to split away New England and end the rebellion. Burgoyne advanced from Canada but his slow movement allowed the Americans to concentrate their forces.

Instead of coming to his aid according to the overall plan, the British Army in New York City moved south to capture Philadelphia. Surrounded, Burgoyne fought two small battles near Saratoga to break out. Trapped by superior American forces, with no relief in sight, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 6,200 men on 17 October 1777.

His surrender, was a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory and to be the turning point for the American Revolutionary War. He and his officers returned to England; the enlisted men became prisoners of war. Burgoyne came under sharp criticism when he returned to London, and never held another active command.

Burgoyne was also an accomplished playwright known for his works such as The Maid of the Oaks and The Heiress, but his plays never reached the fame of his military career. He served as a member of the House of Commons for a number of years, sitting for the seats of Midhurst and Preston.

Images for kids

John Burgoyne, 1758, (after Allan Ramsay)
Burgoyne's march on Albany June–October 1777
Surrender of General Burgoyne by John Trumbull
10 Hertford Street, London W1, Burgoyne's home in later life
Sir John Burgoyne Memorial, St. Mary's Church, Madras
Lieutenant General Sir John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne, from the Great Generals series 1888
Plaque at the address 10 Hertford Street, Mayfair