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Cornwallis

Soldier and Statesman in a Revolutionary World

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The first biography of Charles Cornwallis in 40 years - the soldier, governor, and statesman whose career covered America, India, Britain, and Ireland.

Charles, first marquis of Cornwallis (1738-1805), was a leading figure in late 18th-century Britain. His career spanned the American War of Independence, Irish Union, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the building of the Second British Empire in India - and he has long been associated with the unacceptable face of Britain's colonial past.

In this vivid new biography, Richard Middleton shows that this portrait is far from accurate. Cornwallis emerges as a reformer who had deep empathy for those under his authority and was clear about his obligation to govern justly. He sought to protect the population of Bengal with a constitution of written laws, insisted on Catholic emancipation in Ireland, and recognized the limitations of British power after the American war. Middleton reveals how Cornwallis' rewarding of merit, search for economy, and elimination of corruption helped improve the machinery of British government into the 19th century.

©2022 Richard Middleton (P)2022 Tantor Europe Great Britain Historical Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism War Career
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I only knew him as the respected military leader for the English during the Americans revolution, but it is fair to say that conflict was a small portion of the man. His legacy is definitely colored by his time in Ireland and India. I think he can be proudly remembered any place he went as a fair, competent, dedicated and just man. Both on a personal level, as a military man, and as a government official. Surprised by this book a lot.

A sort of man of which I did not expect.

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I had no idea how pivotal CC was to British history. I enjoyed this informative book.

Detailed military and political biography

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