Alexander, William

Alexander, William, known as Lord Stirling stûrˈlĭng [key], 1726–83, American Revolutionary general, b. New York City. Although the House of Lords rejected his claim to succeed as the 6th earl of Stirling, in America he was generally considered a nobleman. He served in the French and Indian Wars and joined the Continental Army early in the Revolution. Although he fought well at the battle of Long Island (1776), he was captured by the British. After being freed in a prisoner exchange, he saw action at Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. In 1778 he helped to expose the Conway Cabal.

See A. C. Valentine, Lord Stirling (1969).

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