Robert Prescott

Robert Prescott
Portrait of Robert Prescott
Robert Prescott, as depicted in a 1776 portrait by John Bogle[1]
Governor of Martinique
In office
1794
MonarchGeorge III
Preceded byoffice created
Succeeded byJohn Vaughan
Governor General of the Canadas
In office
1796–1807
MonarchGeorge III
Preceded byGuy Carleton
Succeeded byJames Henry Craig
Personal details
Bornc. 1726
Lancashire, England
Died(1815-12-21)21 December 1815
Rose Green, West Sussex, England
Parent
  • Richard Prescott (father)
Military service
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Branch/service British Army
RankGeneral
Battles/wars

General Robert Prescott (c. 1726 – 21 December 1815) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. During a military career which spanned over fifty years, he participated in the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence, including key engagements such as the Montreal campaign. Prescott subsequently became the Governor of Martinique and then, in 1796, Governor General of the Canadas and Commander-in-Chief, North America. He was recalled to England in 1799 after conflict with the Catholic Church and disputes with Anglo-Canadian elites over land distribution. Prescott continued to hold his position until 1807, with his lieutenant governors acting in his absence. He died in 1815 after unsuccessful attempts to clear his name.[2]

  1. ^ "Robert Prescott". National Portrait Gallery, London. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference DCB was invoked but never defined (see the help page).