dramatist military politician statesman
John Burgoyne was born in Sutton, Bedfordshire, location of the Burgoyne baronets family home Sutton Manor c. 1723. His mother, Anna Maria Burgoyne, was the daughter of a wealthy Hackney merchant. His father was supposedly an army officer, Captain John Burgoyne, although there were rumours that he might be the illegitimate son of Lord Bingley, who was his godfather.
From the age of ten Burgoyne attended the prestigious Westminster School.
After studies he went into the military. While still an impecunious junior officer, he eloped with the daughter of Lord Derby. After a brief period of ill will, there emerged a firm friendship between Burgoyne and his influential, noble father-in-law. During Derby's hostility, however, Burgoyne had been so poor that he had sold his commission, fled from his creditors to France. After their reconciliation, Derby's influence enabled Burgoyne to return to military life.
In the Seven Years War (1756 - 1763), Burgoyne promoted the raising of light cavalry similar to some Continental forces. He drafted elaborate instructions advising his officers to deal with their men as "thinking beings. " After action in France, he acquired favorable notice for his leadership of the Anglo-Portuguese forces in 1762. He was then promoted to a regular colonelcy - a mark as much of Derby's power as of Burgoyne's ability.
Burgoyne was long active in politics. He held a seat in the House of Commons from 1761 until his death. Although he occasionally joined the opposition, he generally enjoyed royal favor until 1777. After brief service in America, Burgoyne drew up plans for invading New York from Canada. In March 1777 he was named commander of an invasion force that was about half as strong as he had desired. There was little or no coordination of the efforts to be made between this army and the troops under Sir Henry Clinton and William Howe. Nonetheless, Burgoyne with great confidence -
expressed in bombastic fashion - started his campaign with the capture of Ft. Ticonderoga in early July. He soon encountered unexpectedly heavy American resistance. Yet he persisted in moving his troops in a rather leisurely fashion, rather than marching rapidly toward Albany. Inadequate strength, overconfidence, general bumbling, the appearance of large numbers of Americans - all contributed to disaster for the British. Burgoyne belatedly realized that he was surrounded and outnumbered, unable either to advance or retreat. He surrendered at Saratoga on Oct. 17, 1777.
Burgoyne's defeat was followed by his apostasy from Lord North's ministry. Greeted with criticism at home, he replied by blaming others. He lost favor at court and went so far as to resign from military offices which had netted him £3, 500 a year.
He gained some position in 1782 but remained on the fringes of real power. Though a frequent speaker on military matters in Parliament, he made little impact on political life of the 1780. Instead, Burgoyne turned increasingly to literary and social pursuits. He mingled with theater friends and took as his mistress a popular singer. A series of stage successes culminated in The Heiress, a popular triumph after its first performance in 1786. More successful as an author than he had been as a soldier, Burgoyne died in London on June 4, 1792.
John Burgoyne participated in Seven Years' War, American War of Independence and was promoted to the rank of General. He is mainly remembered for his disastrous campaign in the American Revolution, which ended in his surrender to the American forces in 1777. Burgoyne came under sharp criticism when he returned to London, and never held another active command.
Besides, in his time Burgoyne was a notable playwright, writing a number of popular plays. The most notable were The Maid of the Oaks (1784)[11] and The Heiress (1786). But his plays never reached the fame of his military career.
He showed considerable interest in the troubles of the East India Company. He supported a repressive American policy.
He acquired the nickname "Gentleman Johnny" and became well known for his stylish uniforms and general high living which saw him run up large debts.
Quotes from others about the person
Historian George Billias wrote about John Burgoyne: "a buffoon in uniform who bungled his assignments badly".
He married Charlotte Stanley without permission of Lord Derby in April 1751. An outraged Derby cut his daughter off without a penny. In late 1754 Burgoyne's wife gave birth to a daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth, who was to prove to be the couple's only child.
After the death of his wife in 1776, Burgoyne had four children by his mistress Susan Caulfield.
