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Biography of Ralph AbercrombyName: Ralph AbercrombyBirth Date: October 7, 1734 Death Date: March 28, 1801 Place of Birth: Tullibody, Scotland Nationality: British Gender: Male Occupations: Military leader, Politician Ralph Abercromby Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801) was considered to be the top soldier of his generation. Along with Sir John Moore, he was known for restoring discipline and the reputation of the British soldier. His restructuring of the army led to the ultimate defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.Born at Menstry, near Tullibody, Scotland, on October 7, 1734, Ralph Abercromby was the son of George Abercromby of Birkenbog, the chief whig landowner in County Clackmannan. He was educated at Rugby and studied law at the universities of Edinburgh and Leipzig. Lacking an interest in the law, Abercromby persuaded his father to purchase a commission for him in the Third Dragoon Guards in 1756. Two years later his regiment was transferred to Germany where it joined the English force under the command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick in the Seven Years' War. He became aide-de-camp to General Sir William Pitt. He was now involved in active warfare and …showed first 150 words…
…showed last 150 words…haste and return it to the soldier. He died on board the flagship Foudroyant on March 28, 1801, off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. Abercromby was buried at Malta.The extent of Abercromby's influence on the British army was not realized until historians began adding up the number of officers trained by him. That training enabled more famous generals, such as Wellington, to defeat the French army. Abercromby was respected by his superiors and loved by his men. His influence enabled the British army to become the dominant military force of the nineteenth century. Further Reading Boatner III, Mark Mayo, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. Bicentenial Edition, David McKay Company, Inc., 1974.Dictionary of National Biography, edited by Sir Leslie Stephen and Sir Sidney Lee, Oxford University Press, 1968.Encyclopedia Americana, International Edition, Grolier Inc., 1995.Lanning, Michael Lee, The Military 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Military Leaders of All Time, Carol Publishing Group, 1996. |