From the Battlefield to the Stage: The Many Lives of General John Burgoyne

General John Burgoyne was a fascinating and extraordinary figure of the eighteenth century, known for his surrender to the American forces at Saratoga in 1777. Norman Poser's book provides a rounded biography covering his life, including his elopement with Charlotte Stanley, his socialite status, and his political career. Burgoyne was a socialite, gambler, and playwright, supporting the rule of law and advocating religious tolerance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2023
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Known today chiefly for his surrender to the American forces at Saratoga, New York, in 1777, General John Burgoyne was one of the most interesting – and extraordinary – figures of the eighteenth century. In From the Battlefield to the Stage, Norman Poser provides a rounded biography, covering not only the Saratoga campaign but also elements of Burgoynes eventful life that have never been adequately explored. At the age of twenty-eight, Burgoyne eloped with Charlotte Stanley, the daughter of the immensely wealthy and influential Earl of Derby. Though initially furious, the earl, convinced of the young officer's good character, eventually forgave the couple, and the Stanley family became a major influence in Burgoyne's life and career. He was a socialite, welcome in London's fashionable drawing rooms, a high-stakes gambler in its elite clubs, and a playwright whose social comedies were successfully performed on the London stage. As a member of Parliament for thirty years, Burgoyne supported the rule of law, fought the corruption of the East India Company, and advocated religious tolerance.

From the Battlefield to the Stage paints a vivid portrait of General John Burgoyne, remembering him not only for his role in one of Britain's worst military disasters but also as a brave, talented, humane man.

Dimension: 238 x 159 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228014539