Ronald Craufurd Ferguson

Sir Ronald Craufurd Ferguson
Ronald (right) as painted by Sir Henry Raeburn in "The Archers"
Born	8 February 1773 Muirtown, Fife, Scotland
Died	10 March 1841 (1841-03-11) (aged 68) 5 Bolton Row, London
Nationality	Scottish
Occupation	soldier, politician
Known for	Generalship

General Sir Ronald Craufurd Ferguson (8 February 1773 – 10 April 1841), was a Scottish officer in the British Army and a Member of Parliament for the constituencies of Dysart Burghs and for Nottingham.

Ronald was second son of William Ferguson Esq., of Raith, Fife, by Jane, daughter of Ronald Craufurd of Restalrig, sister of Margaret, countess of Dumfries, was born in Edinburgh on 8 February 1773. He was brother and heir presumptive to his brother the MP for Kirkcaldy.

Ferguson entered the British Army as an ensign in the 53rd Regiment of Foot on 3 April 1790, and was promoted lieutenant on 24 January 1791. He then paid a long visit to Berlin in order to study the Prussian system of discipline, and on his return he was promoted captain on 19 February 1793.

In this year, on the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars, Ferguson's regiment, was despatched to Flanders, where it was brigaded with the 14th and 37th regiments under the command of Major-general Ralph Abercromby, who took particular notice of Ferguson, as a young Scot of singular bodily strength and activity. Ferguson served throughout the campaign of 1793, at the siege of Valenciennes, and in the battles which led to the Frederick, Duke of York's retreat from Dunkirk. In October 1793 the 53rd formed part of the garrison of Nieuwpoort, under the command of Lieutenant-general Sir Charles Grey, and during the constant fighting which took place in front of that town the 53rd was much engaged. Ferguson, who was wounded in the knee, was specially praised in despatches.