Sir Alexander Maitland, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Alexander Maitland (born March 21, 1728 – died February 15, 1820) was an important leader in the British Army. He became a general, which is a very high rank. He was also the first person to be called a Baronet of Clifton. This special title was given to him by the King. Alexander was the fifth son of Charles Maitland, who was the 6th Earl of Lauderdale.
A Long Military Career
Sir Alexander Maitland had a very long and successful career in the British Army. He started at lower ranks and worked his way up to become a general.
Here are some of the important steps in his career:
- He became a Colonel on February 19, 1762. A Colonel is a high-ranking officer.
- He was promoted to Major-General on May 25, 1772. This is an even higher rank.
- He became a Lieutenant-General on August 29, 1777.
- Finally, he reached the top rank of General on October 12, 1793.
Sir Alexander was also in charge of the 49th Regiment of Foot. He was their Colonel for a very long time, from 1768 until 1820. That's 52 years!
The Baronet of Clifton
On November 30, 1818, Sir Alexander Maitland was given the special title of Baronet of Clifton. This title was for his family in the county of Midlothian. Being a Baronet means you have a hereditary title, which can be passed down in your family.
His Final Resting Place
Sir Alexander Maitland passed away on February 15, 1820. He was buried at St Andrew's Church in Totteridge, which is in north London. Inside the church, there is a special plaque that remembers him and other members of his family.
