Edward Cornwallis
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Edward Cornwallis, (c 1713 – 14 January 1776), was a British military officer, known as “the Founder of Halifax”. He was born in London, the sixth son of Charles, fourth Baron Cornwallis, and Lady Charlotte Butler, daughter of the Earl of Arran2. The Cornwallis family possessed large estates in Suffolk and the Channel Islands. Edward had a twin brother (Frederick, later Archbishop of Canterbury), and they were both made royal pages at the age of 121. They were both enrolled at Eton school at 14, and at age 18, Edward entered into military service.
His service in the military let Edward participate in many great battles and to receive recognitions for his efforts. The British government appointed Cornwallis as governor of Nova Scotia and he arrived on 21 June 1749 at Chibouctou Harbour. He was under instructions to found a colony of Protestants, which would act as a buffer between New England and Acadia. Shortly thereafter, the city of Halifax was founded2. Edward's period as governor ended in 1752 and he returned to England to resume his career as a military officer and politician.
In 1762 he was appointed as Governor of Gibraltar and fourteen years later, at the age of 63, Edward Cornwallis died1.
A statue of Edward Cornwallis stands at the center of Cornwallis Park in downtown Halifax. Cornwallis Junior High School in Halifax is named for him.
Edward's twin brother, Frederick Cornwallis, was Archbishop of Canterbury. His grandfather , Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis, was First Lord of the Admiralty. His nephew, Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, became famous as a British general in the American Revolutionary War, and was later Governor-General of India.
