Sir Ralph Abercromby (sometimes spelt Abercrombie) (7 October 173428 March 1801) was a Scottish soldier and politician.
He twice served as MP for Clackmannanshire, rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in the British Army, was appointed Governor of Trinidad, served as Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, and was noted for his services during the French Revolutionary Wars. ==Early life== Ralph Abercromby was born on 7 October 1734 at Menstrie Castle, Clackmannanshire.
Ralph attended Rugby School from 12 June 1748, where he remained until he was 18.
Between 1752 and 1753, he was a student at the University of Edinburgh.
Between 1752 and 1753, he was a student at the University of Edinburgh.
2, (Edinburgh, Scotland) on 25 May 1753. ==Career== On returning from the continent, Abercromby expressed a strong preference for the military profession, and a cornet's commission was accordingly obtained for him (March 1756) in the 3rd Dragoon Guards.
He completed his studies at Leipzig University in Germany from autumn 1754, taking more detailed studies in civil law with a view to a career as an advocate. ==Freemasonry== Abercromby was a Freemason.
2, (Edinburgh, Scotland) on 25 May 1753. ==Career== On returning from the continent, Abercromby expressed a strong preference for the military profession, and a cornet's commission was accordingly obtained for him (March 1756) in the 3rd Dragoon Guards.
He was the second (but eldest surviving) son of George Abercromby, a lawyer and descendant of the Abercromby family of Birkenbog, Aberdeenshire and Mary Dundas (died 1767), daughter of Ralph Dundas of Manour, Perthshire.
His widow was created Baroness Abercromby of Tullibody and Aboukir Bay, and a pension of £2,000 a year was settled on her and her two successors in the title. Abercromby Place in Edinburgh's New Town and Abercromby Square in Liverpool are named in his honour. ==Family== On 17 November 1767, Abercromby married Mary Anne, daughter of John Menzies and Ann, daughter of Patrick Campbell.
Anne Abercromby (born 21 September 1768 and died October 1832) married Donald Cameron, 22nd Chief of Clan Cameron.
Mary Abercromby (born 19 August 1773 and died 26 April 1825) Hon.
He served with his regiment in the Seven Years' War, and thus, the opportunity afforded him of studying the methods of Frederick the Great, which moulded his military character and formed his tactical ideas. Abercromby rose through the intermediate grades to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the regiment (1773) and brevet colonel in 1780, and in 1781, he became colonel of the newly raised King's Irish infantry.
Catherine Abercromby (born 4 December 1780 and died 1841), married on 31 December 1811 to Thomas Buchanan of Powis (d.1842) Superintendent of Marines at Bombay.
He served with his regiment in the Seven Years' War, and thus, the opportunity afforded him of studying the methods of Frederick the Great, which moulded his military character and formed his tactical ideas. Abercromby rose through the intermediate grades to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the regiment (1773) and brevet colonel in 1780, and in 1781, he became colonel of the newly raised King's Irish infantry.
When that regiment was disbanded in 1783, he retired on [pay].
He also entered Parliament as MP for Clackmannanshire (1774–1780). In 1791 he commissioned a large townhouse at 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Abercromby was a strong supporter of the American cause in the American Revolutionary War, and remained in Ireland to avoid having to fight against the colonists. When France declared war against Great Britain in 1793, Abercromby resumed his duties.
General Sir Ralph Abercromby and the French Revolutionary Wars 1792–1801.
He also entered Parliament as MP for Clackmannanshire (1774–1780). In 1791 he commissioned a large townhouse at 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Abercromby was a strong supporter of the American cause in the American Revolutionary War, and remained in Ireland to avoid having to fight against the colonists. When France declared war against Great Britain in 1793, Abercromby resumed his duties.
Death Before Glory: The British Soldier in the West Indies in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, 1793–1815.
During the 1794 withdrawal to Holland, he commanded the allied forces in the action at Boxtel and was wounded directing operations at Fort St Andries on the Waal. In 1795 he commissioned a townhouse at 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh. In July 1795, Abercromby was nominated by Secretary of State for War Henry Dundas to lead an expedition to the West Indies.
During the 1794 withdrawal to Holland, he commanded the allied forces in the action at Boxtel and was wounded directing operations at Fort St Andries on the Waal. In 1795 he commissioned a townhouse at 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh. In July 1795, Abercromby was nominated by Secretary of State for War Henry Dundas to lead an expedition to the West Indies.
Control of much of Saint Vincent been lost to rebelling French planters and native Caribs since early 1795, while Grenada was in the midst of an insurrection led by Julien Fédon.
The appointment of Abercromby as Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward and Windward Islands was officially announced on 5 August. On 17 March 1796 Abercromby arrived in Carlisle Bay, Barbados on the Arethusa.
Three months later Abercromby arrived with further reinforcements and attacked Fédon's camp on 19 June, routing the insurgents and ending the rebellion. The British fleet sailed on 25 April 1796 for Saint Lucia, landing the following day and establishing a beachhead.
He again entered Parliament as member for Clackmannanshire from 1796 to 1798. In 1798, Abercromby was made Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Ireland, then in rebellion and anticipating French intervention.
A major assault on the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April 1797 failed after fierce fighting where both sides suffered heavy losses. Abercromby returned to Europe and, in reward for his services, was appointed colonel of the 2nd (Royal North British) Regiment of Dragoons.
He again entered Parliament as member for Clackmannanshire from 1796 to 1798. In 1798, Abercromby was made Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Ireland, then in rebellion and anticipating French intervention.
To quote the biographic entry in the 1888 Encyclopædia Britannica, Abercromby was replaced in Ireland by Gerrard Lake who favoured an aggressive approach in putting down the rebellion, as opposed to Abercromby's attempts at conciliation. After holding for a short period the office of commander-in-chief in Scotland, Abercromby, was again called to command under the Duke of York in the 1799 Anglo-Russian expedition against the Napoleonic Dutch Republic.
The expedition ended with the signing of the Convention of Alkmaar in which the Anglo-Russian force was allowed to withdraw. After spending time with Dundas over Christmas, Abercromby was summoned to London 21 January 1800.
The debarkation of the troops at Abukir, in the face of strenuous opposition, is justly ranked among the most daring and brilliant exploits of the British army. ==Death== In 1800 Abercromby commanded the expedition to the Mediterranean, and after successfully landing the army and driving the French inland, defeated an attempted French counter-attack at Canope, 21 March 1801.
There is also a 'General Abercrombie' pub with his portrait by John Hoppner as the sign off of the Blackfriars Bridge Road in London. Three ships have been named HMS Abercrombie after the general but using the variant spelling of his name. ==Further reading== Some public monuments of Valletta 1800–1955 ==Notes== === References === === Primary sources === === Secondary sources === Divall, Carole.
Sir Ralph Abercromby (sometimes spelt Abercrombie) (7 October 173428 March 1801) was a Scottish soldier and politician.
However, delays caused by the weather meant that the situation in Italy had changed drastically by the time that Abercromby reached Minorca 22 June. In 1801, Abercromby was sent with an army to recover Egypt from France.
The debarkation of the troops at Abukir, in the face of strenuous opposition, is justly ranked among the most daring and brilliant exploits of the British army. ==Death== In 1800 Abercromby commanded the expedition to the Mediterranean, and after successfully landing the army and driving the French inland, defeated an attempted French counter-attack at Canope, 21 March 1801.
Catherine Abercromby (born 4 December 1780 and died 1841), married on 31 December 1811 to Thomas Buchanan of Powis (d.1842) Superintendent of Marines at Bombay.
Mary Abercromby (born 19 August 1773 and died 26 April 1825) Hon.
Anne Abercromby (born 21 September 1768 and died October 1832) married Donald Cameron, 22nd Chief of Clan Cameron.
Catherine Abercromby (born 4 December 1780 and died 1841), married on 31 December 1811 to Thomas Buchanan of Powis (d.1842) Superintendent of Marines at Bombay.
To quote the biographic entry in the 1888 Encyclopædia Britannica, Abercromby was replaced in Ireland by Gerrard Lake who favoured an aggressive approach in putting down the rebellion, as opposed to Abercromby's attempts at conciliation. After holding for a short period the office of commander-in-chief in Scotland, Abercromby, was again called to command under the Duke of York in the 1799 Anglo-Russian expedition against the Napoleonic Dutch Republic.
(Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2015).
(Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2019).
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