Lord Loudon and the transatlantic impact of military strategy and imperial policymaking, c.1745-1757

Dr Nicola Martin

This talk investigates the military endeavours of John Campbell, fourth earl of Loudoun, as a regional commander in the Scottish Highlands during the Jacobite rising of 1745-46 and as commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America during the French and Indian War. Challenging historiographical interpretations of Loudoun as an incompetent bully, it argues that his military contributions in both theatres continue to be overlooked and emphasises his attempts to negotiate with local elites for realisation of the state’s aims. Demonstrating the ways in which Loudoun’s experiences in the Highlands directly influenced how he approached the challenges he faced in North America, this talk also considers what this case study can tell us about the role of the army in British imperial policymaking and the direct and indirect influence experiences in the Highlands had on the transatlantic implementation of empire.

This talk took place on Thursday 19th November at 5.30pm. You can watch a recording of the talk below.

Image: John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, 1705-1782. In Regimental Highalnd Dress. Artist: John Faber. Engraving after portrait by Allan Ramsay, 1747. Date created: 1755. (c) National Galleries Scotland.