Cornelius Cuyler
Quick Facts
Biography
General Sir Cornelius Cuyler, 1st Baronet (31 October 1740 – 8 March 1819) was a British Army officer who became Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth.
Early life
Cuyler was born in Albany, New York on October 31, 1740, the son of Cornelius Cuyler and Catalyntie Schuyler, she a descendant of the Schuyler family.
Military career
Cuyler was commissioned as an ensign into the 55th Regiment of Foot in May 1759 during the French and Indian War. He took part in the Battle of Ticonderoga in July 1759 and the Battle of the Thousand Islands in August 1760. He became aide-de-camp to General Sir William Howe in July 1775 and fought at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, Battle of Brandywine in September 1777 and the Battle of Germantown in October 1777 during the American Revolutionary War before commanding his regiment at the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. He became Quartermaster-General in the West Indies in November 1782, Commander-in-chief in the West Indies in November 1792 and then Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth and General Officer Commanding South-West District in January 1796. He became Commander-in-Chief in Portugal in January 1799 during the French Revolutionary Wars. He was promoted to full general in September 1803 and created a baronet on 29 October 1814.