10 May 2011

Baron Seaton


At the entrance to Peninsula Square is this statue of Baron Seaton. I hadn't heard of him before, but a quick google lead me to discover what an amazing life he must have had...

He was born in Hampshire, and educated at Winchester College. He joined the military and served in Egypt (1801) and Sicily (1806), participated (1808–14) in the Peninsular War, and helped to defeat Napoleon at Waterloo. He was appointed lieutenant governor of Guernsey (1825) and lieutenant governor of Upper Canada (1828). In 1835 he was made commander in chief of Canadian forces, governor in chief of British North America in 1839, the year he was made a baron. After he left Canada he served as lord high commissioner of the Ionian Islands (1843–49) and commanded the forces in Ireland (1855–60). He was made a field marshal in 1860 and was appointed honorary colonel of the Rifle Brigade (95th) in February 1862 (the Peninsula Barracks here in Winchester becoming the home of the Rifle Brigade in 1858.) Quite a life he must have lead with so many experiences..

6 comments:

  1. That would be cool to have achieved something big enough to get a statue created of you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. He had a long and very successful millitary life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice piece of history and sculpture.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like he has a nice spot in which to stand. Love the Georgian architecture behind him.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Some people seem to be able to cram an awful lot into one life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes he packed a lot in! Peninsula Square beyond him is lovely!

    ReplyDelete