Portal:Gibraltar/Selected biography/10



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 Arran. The Cornwallis family possessed large estates at Culford 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 12. They were both enrolled at Eton school at 14, and at age 18, Edward entered into military service.

In 1762 Cornwallis was served as Governor of Gibraltar from June 14, 1761 to January 1776 and died 14 years later, at the age of 63. 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. (more...)