Sir Isaac Brock

Who is Sir Isaac Brock?

Isaac Brock was born on 6 October 1769 in St Peter Port, Guernsey, the eighth son of John Brock, a former Royal Navy midshipman, and Elizabeth de Lisle, daughter of the island's lieutenant-bailiff. He joined the British Army as an ensign in 1785, rising to lieutenant colonel of the 49th Regiment of Foot by 1797. When the regiment was posted to British North America in 1802, Brock's career shifted toward colonial defence; he was made colonel in 1805, brigadier general in 1808, and major general in 1811, with responsibility for defending Upper Canada against the growing threat of American invasion. At the outbreak of the War of 1812 he won a decisive, near-bloodless victory at the Siege of Detroit, forcing the surrender of a larger American force and securing his reputation almost overnight. He was killed weeks later, on 13 October 1812, while leading a counterattack against American troops who had crossed the Niagara River at the Battle of Queenston Heights. He was knighted for the Detroit victory, though he died before the news reached him. Brock is remembered as one of the most celebrated military figures of the War of 1812 and a defining hero of early Canadian history, commemorated by Brock's Monument at Queenston Heights and by Brock University, both named in his honour.

Sources: Dictionary of Canadian Biography, "BROCK, Sir ISAAC" · Isaac Brock — Wikipedia · Brock University, "Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock" institutional history page