John Cradock, 1st Baron Howden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Howden
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| Governor of the Cape Colony | |
| In office 1811–1814 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Caledon |
| Succeeded by | Lord Charles Somerset |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 August 1759 |
| Died | 26 July 1839 (aged 79) |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Madras Army |
| Battles/wars | Irish Rebellion |
John Francis Cradock, 1st Baron Howden (born 11 August 1759 – died 26 July 1839) was a British general, a politician, and a nobleman. He was known for his long career in the British Army and for serving as the Governor of the Cape Colony.
Contents
Early Life and Military Beginnings
John Francis Cradock was the son of John Cradock, who was an Archbishop in Dublin, Ireland. He went to St John's College, Cambridge in 1775 to study.
His military career started in 1777. He became a cornet in the 4th Regiment of Horse. A cornet was a junior officer rank, similar to a second lieutenant today. In 1779, he moved to the Coldstream Guards as an ensign. By 1781, he was promoted to lieutenant with the rank of captain.
In 1785, he became a major in the 12th Dragoons. He then moved to the 13th Foot in 1786. By 1789, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.
Service in the West Indies
Cradock led the 13th Regiment in the West Indies in 1790. He returned to the West Indies in 1793. There, he commanded a group of grenadiers, who were special soldiers. He was injured during a battle to take control of Martinique. For his brave actions, he was thanked by the British Parliament.
Fighting in Ireland
In 1795, Cradock became a colonel of the 127th Foot. He was promoted to major-general in 1798. During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, he served as a quartermaster-general in Ireland. This role meant he was in charge of supplies and troop movements.
He fought in the Battle of Vinegar Hill. He also joined Lord Cornwallis in his fight against French forces in Ireland. Cradock was badly wounded at the Battle of Ballinamuck.
Political Career
Besides his military work, Cradock was also a politician. He was a Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons.
- From 1785, he represented Clogher.
- From 1790 to 1798, he represented Castlebar.
- From 1799 to 1800, he represented Midleton.
- From 1800 to 1801, he represented Thomastown.
He held this seat until the Act of Union in 1801. This act joined the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Commander and Governor
In 1801, Cradock was part of the staff in the Mediterranean. He served under Sir Ralph Abercromby. He took part in several battles. He was also second-in-command of a division in the field. After the cities of Cairo and Alexandria surrendered, he was sent to occupy Corsica and Naples. However, he was called back when the Peace of Amiens was signed. This peace treaty temporarily ended fighting between Britain and France.
He later became the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army in India. After Lord Lake left, Cradock commanded all British forces in the Iberian Peninsula for almost a year. In 1808, he was put in charge of forces in Portugal. He handed over this command to Arthur Wellesley (who later became the Duke of Wellington) in April 1809.
Cradock briefly served as the Governor of Gibraltar later in 1809.
Governor of the Cape Colony
In 1811, John Cradock was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony in South Africa. He was also the commander of the forces there. He resigned from this role in 1814. Lord Charles Somerset took over from him.
Later Life and Legacy
Cradock was promoted to full general in 1814. In 1819, he was given the title of Baron Howden in the Peerage of Ireland. This meant he became a nobleman. In 1831, he received the same title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
The town of Cradock, Eastern Cape, in South Africa, is named after him.
On 17 November 1798, John Cradock married Lady Theodosia Sarah Frances Meade. She was the daughter of John Meade, 1st Earl of Clanwilliam. Cradock named the town of Clanwilliam, Western Cape in South Africa after his father-in-law.
