General Sir Isaac Brock
Courtesy of the Library and Archives of Canada

SIR ISAAC BROCK

Lived: October 6, 1769 - October 13, 1812 (aged 43)

Hometown: St. Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey, Great Britain

Battles: Battle of Detroit, Battle of Queenston Heights

Sir Isaac Brock was born on October 6, 1769 in St. Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey, Great Britain. As a British soldier in Canada he held various positions of leadership, including lieutenant colonel of the 49th Regiment, colonel, and major general in 1811.

During the War of 1812, he defended Upper Canada – present day Ontario – and led British and Native American troops to capture Detroit, a victory for which he received a knighthood of the Order of the Bath.  Native Americans feared American expansionism and saw the British Army as an effective counter-expansionist force.  Brock capitalized on this natural alliance by augmenting his small Canadian militias with Native Americans, allowing him to strong arm the surrender of Detroit.  Brock was effective in organizing and strengthening his defense of Upper Canada and thus stayed American invasion on the Niagara frontier.

General Brock was killed on October 13, 1812, leading the British defenses against American forces at the Battle of Queenston Heights in Upper Canada.  He is remembered for his important role in the British Army, and is widely known as the “Hero of Upper Canada” for his military achievements in the area.  

SUBMITTED BY: NYSM Intern Kaylee Steck (University of Chicago)