Thomas Desaguliers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lieutenant-General
Thomas Desaguliers
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| Born | 5 January 1721 Cannon Row, Westminster, Middlesex |
| Died | 1 March 1780 (aged 59) Woolwich, Kent, England |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1740–1780 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-general |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
Lieutenant-General Thomas Desaguliers (5 January 1721 – 1 March 1780) was an important general in the British Army. He was also a Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery, which means he was a top leader in the part of the army that uses cannons and big guns. He was known for his scientific work and improvements in artillery.
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Early Life and Family Background
Thomas Desaguliers was born on January 5, 1721. He was the youngest son of Dr. John Theophilus Desaguliers, who was a well-known scientist. His grandfather, Jean Desaguliers, was a Protestant pastor who had to leave his home country in 1682 because of religious reasons.
Joining the Army
Thomas Desaguliers started his military career in the Royal Regiment of Artillery on January 1, 1740. He quickly moved up the ranks. He became a second lieutenant in 1741, a first lieutenant in 1742, and a captain in 1745.
First Battles
His first experience in battle was in Flanders in 1744. He joined the Royal Artillery during the War of the Austrian Succession. He was part of the battle of Fontenoy and many smaller fights during this time.
Leading the Woolwich Arsenal
After returning to England in 1748, Captain Desaguliers became the chief firemaster at the Woolwich Arsenal. He held this important job for 32 years until he died. As chief firemaster, he was in charge of the arsenal. He was the first person in the English army to scientifically make cannons and study how powerful guns could be.
In 1749, he helped design and oversee the fireworks for the first performance of Handel's famous Music for the Royal Fireworks. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1757.
The Belleisle Expedition
In 1761, Desaguliers was called away from his work at Woolwich to lead the artillery for an important mission. This mission was to capture the island of Belleisle, off the coast of France. This was a big chance to test the new improvements he had made to siege artillery (large guns used to attack forts).
When Desaguliers arrived at Belleisle, the army had already tried to land once and failed. He quickly offered to scout the area. He used some of his heavy guns in ships' boats to help the army land safely. The island was soon captured. Desaguliers then led the attack on the citadel (the main fortress). He used 30 guns and 30 mortars, firing many thousands of shots and shells. He faced many challenges, including flooded trenches, and was even wounded. The fortress finally surrendered on June 7.
Later Career and Innovations
After returning to England, Desaguliers was promoted to colonel and became a colonel commandant of the Royal Artillery in 1762. He spent the rest of his life working at Woolwich. His work was very important for the British military. He invented a way to fire small shot from mortars and did some of the first experiments with rockets. He often showed off artillery to members of the Royal Family.
His inventions were so good that one of his tools was still used in royal gun factories many years later to check the inside of cannon barrels. He continued to be promoted, becoming a major-general in 1772 and a lieutenant-general in 1777.
Scientific Recognition
Because of his important scientific work, Desaguliers was chosen to be a fellow of the Royal Society on February 24, 1780. This was a great honor, and he was the first officer from the Royal Artillery to receive it. He died shortly after this recognition.
Personal Life
Thomas Desaguliers married Mary Blackwood in 1745. She was the daughter of an art dealer named John Blackwood. They had three children before Mary died at the young age of 23.
Their children were:
- Mary Catherine Desaguliers (1747–1814)
- Anne Desaguliers (1748–1801)
- Frederick Desaguliers (1749–1777)
Frederick followed his father into the Royal Artillery. Sadly, he died in January 1777 during the Battle of Princeton in the American War of Independence.
Thomas Desaguliers never remarried after Mary's death. He owned an estate in Essex and also had a home in London. He was an equerry (a special attendant) to King George III and often rode horses with the King in the mornings.
Thomas Desaguliers died unexpectedly on March 1, 1780. He was buried next to his wife at Crayford.
