Edward Pakenham

The Honourable Sir Edward Pakenham GCB


Member of Parliament for Longford Borough
In office 1799–1800
Preceded by	Hon. Thomas Pakenham
Succeeded by	Hon. Thomas Pakenham
Personal details
Born	Edward Michael Pakenham (1778-06-19)19 June 1778 Pakenham Hall, County Westmeath, Ireland
Died	8 January 1815(1815-01-08) (aged 36) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Awards	Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath Army Gold Cross
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom / British Empire
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1794–1815
Rank	Major-general
Battles/wars	Irish Rebellion of 1798 Battle of Copenhagen Peninsular War War of 1812 †

The Honourable Sir Edward Michael Pakenham GCB (pro. pack-en'um) (19 March 1778 – 8 January 1815), was an Anglo-Irish Army Officer and Politician. He was the son of the Earl of Longford and brother-in law of the Duke of Wellington, with whom he served in the Peninsular War. Appointed as commander of British forces in North America in 1814, he was killed in action at the Battle of New Orleans.

Pakenham was born at Pakenham Hall (now known as Tullynally Castle), County Westmeath, Ireland to Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford and the former Catherine Rowley. He was educated at The Royal School, Armagh. His family purchased his commission as a lieutenant in the 92nd Regiment of Foot when he was only sixteen. Between 1799 and 1800, Pakenham also represented Longford Borough in the Irish House of Commons.

Known as 'Ned' to his friends, he served with the 23rd Light Dragoons against the French in Ireland during the 1798 Rebellion and later in Nova Scotia, Barbados, and Saint Croix. He led his men in an attack on Saint Lucia in 1803, where he was wounded. He also fought in the Danish campaign at the Battle of Copenhagen (1807) and in Martinique against the French Empire, where he received another wounding. In 1806, his sister Catherine married Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.