General Wolfe
(James Wolfe)
1727–1759
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James Wolfe was born into a military family, and first entered service at age fifteen during the War of the Austrian Succession, and distinguished himself at the Battle of Dettington. He was noticed by the Duke of Cumberland, and called to serve in the Jacobean Rising of 1745, but acquitted himself in such a way that he won the respect both of Englishmen and the Highlanders he was opposing. He received several promotions at a very young age and was made lieutenant colonel by age 22. The battlefield heroics and promotions then stopped for a few years, while England and France were officially at peace.
When war broke out again in 1756, he again was called into action. After participating in the failed Rochefort expedition (in which his recommendations were not followed), Pitt assigned him to the North American theatre under Amherst where he took primary responsibility for the successful siege of Louisburg, the greatest British success in the war thus far. William Pitt, promptly promoted him to major-general and gave him the assignment of taking Quebec. In spite of ill-health and other difficulties, he planned a daring night-time infiltration of French defenses, and in the morning was arrayed for battle. Wolfe perished in the subsequent battle, but not before "purchasing immortal honor for his country," by his victory at Quebec.
Key events during the life of General James Wolfe:
| James Wolfe born into a military family. | |
| Saw first action during the War of Austrian Succession. | |
| Brigade-major in Jacobean rebellion of 1745. Served at Culloden. | |
| Promoted to lieutenant colonel at age 22. | |
| Served on the Rochefort expedition in the Seven Years War. | |
| Led the charge at the siege of Louisburg. | |
| Promoted by Pitt to Major-General. Put in charge of expedition to Quebec. | |
| Led Britain to victory at the battle of Quebec, but died in battle. |
Other Resources
| Quebec in | Stories from English History, Part Third by Alfred J. Church |
| Second Struggle in | The Hanoverians by C. J. B. Gaskoin |
| Winning the British Empire in | The Story of England by Samuel B. Harding |
| Loss of New France in | Canada: Peeps at History by Beatrice Home |
| End of French Rule in America in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
| Pathy of Glory in | Our Empire Story by H. E. Marshall |
| George II—The Story of How Canada Was Won in | Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall |
| Fall of Quebec in | The Struggle for Sea Power by M. B. Synge |
| Quebec in | The Boy's Book of Battles by Eric Wood |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 Wolfe's monument in Westminster Abbey in Story of the Thirteen Colonies |
 General James Wolfe in Canada: Peeps at History |
Wolfe landing at the foot of the Heights of Abraham in Canada: Peeps at History |
General James Wolfe in Back Matter |
General James Wolfe Landing at Louisburg in Back Matter |
 The Death of Wolfe in This Country of Ours |
 Slipping and stumbling, the men went on. in Our Empire Story |
 James Wolfe in Builders of Our Country: Book I |
 William Pitt advises young James Wolfe before he sails in Builders of Our Country: Book I |
 Monument to Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham in The Reign of Queen Victoria |
 The Death of General Wolfe at Quebec. in The Boy's Book of Battles |
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| General Montcalm | Military leader of New France during the Seven Year War; died at Battle of Quebec. |
| Statesman who masterminded the rise of the British Empire during the critical 18th century. | |
| Lord Amherst | British ambassador to China, and then governor of India. Fought first Burmese War. |
| Duke of Cumberland | Brother of George III. Led Britain against the Jacobian rebellion of 1745. |
| Grandson of James II, led Jacobites in bid to restore Stuarts to the throne of England. |