Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey, KB (23 October 1729–14 November 1807) was one of the most important British generals of the 18th century. He was the fourth son of Sir Henry Grey, Bt., of Howick in Northumberland.
Charles received his first military commission in 1744. During the American War of Independence he was one of the more successful army leaders. He earned the nickname "No-flint Grey" after the Paoli Massacre nighttime attack of 1777, where he collected flints from muskets before engaging the Americans using bayonets, maintaining the element of surprise. Grey used the same tactic in 1778 in the Baylor Massacre. Grey was appointed commander-in-chief of the British troops in America. He could not take office, however, because the war ended.
In acknowledgment of his service, Grey was raised in January 1801 to the peerage as Baron Grey of Howick. In 1806, he was created Earl Grey and Viscount Howick. He died the next year, at the age of 78.
In 1762, Grey married Elizabeth Grey (1744-1822), the daughter of George Grey of Southwick (1713-1746),their children were:
- Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, British statesman and prime minister after whom Earl Grey tea is named.
- George Grey (1767 - 1828)
- William Grey (1777 - 1817)
- Edward Grey (1782 - 1837)
He was also an ancestor of Prime Ministers Anthony Eden and Alec Douglas-Home, and of Diana, Princess of Wales.
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New Creation |
Earl Grey 1806–1807 |
Succeeded by Charles Grey |
