Thomas Gage
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General Thomas Gage |
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Portrait by John Singleton Copley, circa 1768
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| Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay | |
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In office 13 May 1774 – 11 October 1775 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Hutchinson |
| Succeeded by | None (John Hancock became Governor of Massachusetts in 1780) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1719 or early 1720 Firle, Sussex, Great Britain |
| Died | 2 April 1787 (aged 67–68) Portland Place, London, Great Britain |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Kemble Gage |
| Profession | Soldier, provincial governor |
| Religion | Anglican |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Great Britain
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| Service/branch |
 British Army
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| Years of service | 1741–1775 1781–1782 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands |
80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot Military governor of Montreal Commander-in-Chief, North America |
| Battles/wars | |
War of the Austrian Succession
Pontiac's Rebellion
American War of Independence
Thomas Gage (10 March 1718/19 – 2 April 1787) was a British general best known for his many years of service in North America, including his role as military commander in the early days of the American Revolution.
Born to a aristocratic family in England, he entered military service, seeing action in the French and Indian War, where he served alongside his future opponent George Washington in the 1755 Battle of the Monongahela. After the fall of Montreal in 1760, he was named its military governor. During this time he did not distinguish himself militarily, but proved himself to be a competent administrator.
From 1763 to 1775 he served as commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America, overseeing the British response to the 1763 Pontiac's Rebellion. In 1774 he was also appointed the military governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, with instructions to implement the Intolerable Acts, punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. His attempts to seize military stores of Patriot militias in April 1775 sparked the Battles of Lexington and Concord, beginning the American War of Independence. After the Pyrrhic victory in the June Battle of Bunker Hill he was replaced by General William Howe in October 1775, and returned to Great Britain.
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