NAM.1960-07-48-1

General Sir Henry Clinton (1730-1795) in General Officers’ undress uniform, 1777. Miniature portrait in watercolour on ivory, signed with initials and dated ‘J.S. / 1777’, by John Smart (1741-1811), 1777. Bust-length portrait, facing forward but looking to right, wearing uniform. Framed and glazed, in plain gold bracelet clasp, with holes for the wrist strap at the top and bottom. Associated with American War of Independence (1775-1783). Henry Clinton was born in Newfoundland and grew up in New York. In 1751 he travelled to England and gained a commission in the Coldstream Guards. By 1758 he had risen to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Grenadier Guards. During the Seven Years War (1756-1763), Clinton distinguished himself as an aide-de-camp to Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick. He played a major role in the American War of Independence (1775-1783), taking part in the battles of Bunker Hill and Long Island and subsequently taking possession of New York. In March 1778, following the defeat at Saratoga, Clinton replaced General Howe as Commander-in-Chief in America. The following year he invaded South Carolina and in 1780 captured Charleston. For services during the American war Clinton was promoted to lieutenant-general and awarded a knighthood. However, there was friction between him and Lord Cornwallis, his second in command. In 1782, after the surrender at Yorktown, Clinton was replaced as Commander-in-Chief by General Sir Guy Carleton.

American War of Independence (1775-1783)