The Resume

(January 29, 1717-August 3, 1797)
Born in Sevenoaks, England, United Kingdom
British Field Marshall
Served in the War of the Austrian Succession, Second Jacobite Rebellion, Seven Years' War and Pontiac's Rebellion
Crown Governor of Virginia (1759-68)
Governor of British North America (1760-63)
Commander-in-Chief of the Forces (1778-82,1793-95)
Named Baron Amherst of Montreal (1788)
Namesake for towns named Amherst in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Nova Scotia; Amherstburg, Ontario; Amherst County, Virginia; Amherst Islands in Ontario and Quebec; and Amherst College, Massachusetts

Why he might be annoying:

After the conquest of Montreal, he infuriated the French by denying them the 'honors of war' (the ceremonial right of a defeated garrison to keep their flags); the French commander burned the colors rather than surrender them.
His treatment of the American Indians as conquered people instead of allies triggered Pontiac's Rebellion (1763).
He underestimated the Indians' military abilities and stationed only 500 men in the areas where the war broke out.
He approved a plan by one of his commanders to distribute smallpox-infected blankets to the Indians.
He also declared his willingness to adopt 'any other method that can serve to Extirpate this Execrable Race.'

Why he might not be annoying:

Robert Walpole called him 'a man of indomitable perseverance and courage.'
He led the British conquest of New France (Canada).
He declined a battlefield command during the American War of Independence because he had become friends with several leaders on the American side.
He was offered command of the British forces in North America (1778), but the government withdrew the offer when he said it would require at least 75,000 troops to defeat the Americans.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• A City is Named in My Honor
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 34]
• Generals and Admirals
• I Died in the City I Was Born In
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 30501-30750 (Ranked: 30608)
• Seven Years’ War Participants [1756–63]
• U.S. Governors

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying