Howe, William (1729-1814), Viscount Howe, commanded the British army in America during the early years of the Revolutionary War in America. In June 1775, he led the British in the Battle of Bunker Hill and, in October of that year, succeeded General Thomas Gage as commander of the British army in America. Howe won the battles of Long Island, White Plains, and Brandywine, and occupied Philadelphia. But he did not defeat the Americans. As a result, he resigned his post and was succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton in 1778.
Howe was educated at Eton College. During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), he fought at the siege and capture of Louisbourg and in the Battle of Quebec (see Quebec, Battle of ). Howe was knighted in 1776 and was made a general in 1793. His brother Richard Howe became commander of the British fleet in America during the Revolutionary War.
Howe was born on Aug. 10, 1729. He died on July 12, 1814.
