George Harris GCB (1746 - 1829)

Born 18 Mar 1746 in Kent, England

Husband of Ann Carteret (Dickson) Harris — married 9 Dec 1779 in Lymington, Hampshire, England

Descendants

Biography

George was born in 1746. He is the son of the Reverend George Harris, curate of Brasted, Kent.

He was educated at Westminster School followed by the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.

In 1780 he married Anne Carteret Dickson.

Military Career

George was commissioned to the Royal Artillery in 1760, and transferred to the 5th Foot (Northumberland Fusiliers), two years later. He saw active duty during the American War of Independence at Lexington and Bunker Hill.

After that time, he saw military service in a number of locations, including St. Lucia, Ireland, and India. He received £100,000 in prize money for the Seringapatam campaign. This success bolstered his reputation as a capable and experienced commander and led to his being offered (and declining) an Irish peerage.

From 1800 until his death, George served as colonel of the 73rd (Highland) Regiment of Foot.

Peerage & Awards

In 1815 he was made a peer of the United Kingdom, earning the title of Baron Harris, of Seringapatam and Mysore and of Belmont in the County of Kent.

More awards followed. George was named a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1820, and became governor of Dumbarton Castle in 1824.

He passed away in 1829.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Harris,_1st_Baron_Harris
• http://www.thepeerage.com/p43240.htm#i432393
• http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/harris1815.htm