Jeffrey Amherst by Joshua Reynolds

Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst (sometimes spelled Geoffrey, he himself spelled his name as Jeffery) (January 29, 1717 - August 3, 1797) served as an army officer in the British military.

Born in Sevenoaks, England he became a soldier aged about 14. He saw fame during the Seven Years' War, particularly in the North American campaign known in the United States as the French and Indian War.

Amherst led the British attack in 1758 on Louisbourg (the Siege of Louisbourg) and as leader of the British army in North America, helped the British seize most French territory in what is now Canada. In 1759 he led an advance up Lake Champlain assisting in Wolfe's capture of Quebec City and on September 8, 1760 he captured Montreal ending French rule in North America. He held the position of military governor of Canada from 1760 to 1763.

The hostility between the English and Native Americans during the Pontiac Uprising of 1763 led to the first documented use of biological warfare in American history. In response to the Indian uprising led by the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, Jeffrey Amherst attempted to spread smallpox among the Native Americans.

In 1763, Amherst was appointed Governor of Virginia, and in 1778 was made commander-in-chief of the army. In 1776, he was made Baron Amherst, of Holmesdale, but the title became extinct when he died because he had no descendants. In 1788, the title Baron Amherst, of Montreal was conferred with a special remainder allowing the title to pass to his nephew instead of to his descendants (of which he had none).

The town of Amherst, Massachusetts, location of Amherst College, was named for him.

See also: List of Canadian Governors General

Preceded by: New Office	Governor-General of Canada 1760-1763	Succeeded by: James Murray
Preceded by: Vacant	Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1778-1782	Succeeded by: Henry Seymour Conway
Preceded by: Henry Seymour Conway	Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1783-1795	Succeeded by: The Duke of York

Preceded by: New Creation	Baron Amherst	Succeeded by: Extinct
	Baron Amherst	Succeeded by: William Pitt Amherst

External Link

• Historical Biographies: Jeffrey Amherst
• Amherst and Smallpox