John Burgoyne

Major General John Burgoyne

John Burgoyne, (1722–1792), British army officer and playwright, whose bold plan of invading the American colonies from Canada ended in his surrender at Saratoga, N. Y. Born in London in 1722, Burgoyne studied at Westminster School and joined the British Army in 1740. In 1743 he eloped with the 11th Earl of Derby's daughter, and they lived in France for several years to escape overwhelming debts.

Rejoining the army in 1756, Burgoyne served in Europe during the Seven Years' War. He was elected to Parliament in 1761 and achieved prominence in 1772 by demanding an investigation of the East India Company. Appointed Major General in 1772, Burgoyne was sent to Boston, Mass., in May 1775. He witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17 and later returned to England.

In 1776, Burgoyne was named second in command to Sir Guy Carleton for an invasion of New York from Canada. The British captured Crown Point on Lake Champlain, but Burgoyne returned to London in disgust at Carleton's leadership. He persuaded the king and prime minister to let him lead an invasion from Canada. In June 1777, commanding an army of about 7,000, Burgoyne reoccupied Crown Point and on July 6 captured Fort Ticonderoga.

As Burgoyne moved slowly southward, however, disaster overtook him. Col. Barry St. Leger, who was to bring him support from the west, was stopped by the Americans, and Gen. William Howe failed to send him reinforcements from the south. Brought to a virtual standstill, Burgoyne tried twice to break through the American lines at Bemis Heights. Eventually he was forced to surrender to the greatly superior forces of Gen. Horatio Gates at Saratoga on Oct. 17, 1777.

Returning to England, Burgoyne was severely criticized for his capitulation. He entered politics again, briefly, but after 1783 he devoted himself to literary and social life. His first play, Maid of the Oaks (1774), had enjoyed some success, and his last, The Heiress (1786), proved quite popular. Burgoyne died in London on Aug. 4, 1792, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

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Author: Paul C. Bowers, Jr.