John Burgoyne

ohn Burgoyne was a general for the British army who fought in both Freeman's Farm battles and Saratoga. He lost to American General John Stark at the Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne was nicknamed "Gentleman Johnny" because he never tried to hurry and liked to throw parties between battles. Burgoyne, a playwright too, wrote his most famous play, The Heiress, in 1786.

Johnny Burgoyne was the author of a plan for a three pronged invasion of New York. It failed mainly because General Howe, who was to have led the southern force, didn't get the word and went towards Philidelphia instead of going northwards to meet Gen Burgoyne. Right before he surrendered the Americans told Gen. Burgoyne that he would have to surrender because he was out of ammunition and couldn't fight his way out. To this Gen. Burgoyne is said to have replied that "As long as British soldiers have their bayonets they have the means to fight their way out." He surrendered anyway, probably because he would have taken to many losses trying to fight his way out. When he got back to England he wrote several plays, including "The Heiress" and "Lord of the Manor." He originally published "Lord of the Manor" anonymously because he wanted the play to be judged on its own merits and not have anyone's opinion of the author affect their opinion of the play. The play was highly enough regarded that many critics incorrectly guessed the play had been writen by various well regarded writers of the time. Some even believed that different parts were writen by different well known writers. Johnny Burgoyne was flattered to see that his work was so highly regarded. ---Norman Carey

created by the Patriots 1997 for the Thinkquest Contest