William Amherst (British Army officer)

William Amherst was born, in Sevenoaks, Kent, into a family of lawyers. He married Elizabeth Amherst (nee Patterson). Their children included: • William Pitt Amherst, 1st Earl Amherst of Arracan, GCH, PC, a future Governor-General of India • Elizabeth Frances Amherst ==Seven Years' War==

Amherst was commissioned as an ensign in the First Regiment of Foot Guards in 1755. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant general in 1779. and in 1768 he became MP for Launceston until 1774. In 1769 he built a house in Ryde, on the Isle of Wight. He named the house and estate St John's, after his victory in Newfoundland. The neighborhood of Ryde that surrounds the house is still known by that name. He was appointed Adjutant-General to the Forces in 1778: he died while serving in that role in 1781. == Notes ==