James Wolfe

Full Name: James Peter Wolfe
Profession: British Army Officer

Nationality:

Biography: James Wolfe was a British army officer best known for his victory against the French in 1759 at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. This battle, also known as the Battle of Quebec, was a crucial piece of the Seven Years' War which was a global conflict involving alliances arrayed around the opposition of Great Britain and France.

The result of this battle, a British victory, ultimately to be the creation of Canada rather than New France. Subsequently the British forces captured Quebec and, after a failed effort by the French to retake their territories, France would cede its North American possessions to Great Britain in 1763.

Wolfe would not see this, however, as he died on the Plains of Abraham. Before doing so, he led an army in an amphibious landing from the St. Lawrence River which then scaled the cliffs with two cannons. This surprised the French forces which had thought the cliffs impossible to climb.

Born: January 2, 1727
Birthplace: Westerham, Kent, England
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: September 13, 1759 (aged 32)
Cause of Death: Killed in action