The first 100 people to go to www.blinkist.com/biographics will get unlimited access for one week to try it out. You’ll also get 25% off if you want the full membership.

You know, his story is actually kind of sad. He was a decent man, sensible, loyal to his country and tried his best to do the right thing. You can see his quality in how he tried to reconcile the Ireland debacle, and his frustrations with how it turned out. Also the fact that his wife, whom he actually married for love, died of illness while he was off on campaign is a tragedy. I genuinely feel for him.

I've always wondered about Cornwallis, in America we heard his name many times in history class but never really knew much about him. Thank you for posting this video!

Léo Major, French-Canadian soldier who almost single-handedly liberated the Dutch city of Zwolle in WWII.

He lost because I’m awesome, duh! 🤩 😎

Cornwallis: the man who lost America, then took his revenge in India

I had a history professor in college who once characterize the stamp act as “imagine if you had to pay a fee every time you wanted to use Wi-Fi on your phone anywhere for any reason.” I’ll never forget the horrified silence that settled over the classroom, and this one guy a few seats behind me even muttered “I would murder someone.”

That’s a fair summary of him “being average and not being above average “

Honestly he sounds like the right man at the wrong time. Decent guy just put into positions he really didn’t care for or want but was told to anyways.

"failing upwards", is my favourite phrase in the entire video.

Cornwallis lived a few miles away from where I live. His house is gone now but the gate house of his estate is still there and is now a pub.

The Royal Navy ship HSM Cornwallis was named in honour of Charles Cornwallis. This ship was instrumental in the defeat of China in the First Opium War, and it was aboard the HMS Cornwallis that representatives from the British and Qing Empires negotiated and signed the Treaty of Nanking, which is considered the start of China's century of humiliation.

The Irony of him being against those acts that led to unrest in the colonies that would eventually erupted into the US war for independence. One has to wonder if he recalled that as Yorktown devolved into defeat and surrender.

Now I have this image of Cornwallis chasing Washington, with Yakety sax playing.

I love when little bits of Business Blaze pokes through in Simon's more serious channels

When Cornwallis requisitioned my family’s cattle and barns for his troops before the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, my x6 great grandmother met with him and demanded the cattle back. Apparently Cornwallis acquiesced, and resupplied my family despite having a son in the patriot militia. Shows he wasn’t necessarily a bad man.

"A kick in the nuts or a rectally inserted cactus" I'll get back to video when I stop laughing....

Calling someone "useless" is about as serious an insult as I give.

Honestly, I feel really bad for Conwallis. He seems like a really decent man, who loved his wife, country, and soldiers who fought under him. He did his duty as he thought necessary, and as Simon said, probably would have been great at a lesser role if he hasn't been promoted beyond his abilities. I know he fought against my ancestors in the Revolutionary War, but I still feel sorry for the man.

For someone so mediocre, Cornwallis lived a fairly extraordinary life, even as a supporting actor to greater events. Can't really blame a guy for losing a war where he was outnumbered 20 to 1.

Didn’t set lookouts at Trenton. Why they needed a General to tell them that goes against all military logic.

That's the tale of a lot of the Generals and Admirals, Born to Wealthy families with connections

Honestly I wouldn’t describe him as “mediocre.” He seemed to be pretty competent and well-intentioned to me.

Peter Drucker’s "Peter Principle" where everyone gets promoted to their level of incompetence.

Thanks for a different perspective on Lord Cornwallis than I was taught in school. Our public school textbooks cram great events into a few brief paragraphs, omitting in depth examination of the people who played the pivotal roles.

"And which Pitt would this be? Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Embryo? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?"

“Mostly Decentl, But Useless” That’s going to be in my grave stone

A subject suggestion: who are the people depicted in notable currencies around the world and why were they chosen. Cheers!

It is worth noting the second commander of England's forces in America, Sir William Howe, actually *asked* to be relieved of command, what he described as, "This very painful service". And that's a man who assailed, personally, the deadly American volleys on Breed's Hill, ALONGSIDE his regular infantry--THREE times. The British had no shortage of brave soldiers or Generals.

Simon, love your videos, behind the scenes crew, you guys are amazing as well. So well researched and still you make it fun to listen to.

That great! you should do one on Black George of Serbia, the Balkan's mad lad

Simon...I have to say...now that you have so many channels i love how personal you have been. The sense of humor you add is unmatched. Easily the best way to earn some historical context. I consider myself to know something about history in general and you always shock me with some random fact. Nicely done sir!!

Well done. Tons of info and a great perspective.

Cornwallis was a loyal soldier who spent most of his career fighting for things he didn't believe in.

Sounds to me like he was loyal to a fault; entered into unwinnable battles and actually had some success, had a genuine love for his wife, continued on fighting through grief, and his only downfall was kicking Simon's great great great grandfather's dog.

Always good historical videos, I'm always looking forward to more, very educational

Thank you - I learned so much from this fascinating mini-biography.

*Sees title* My brain: "General Cornwallis, or as his friends called him 'J-Corn'"

“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life” Charles Cornwallis

Great video keep up the good work on your channel loving it 👍🏻🙂🔥

how funny... I listen to you when i'm folding my laundry lol!! videos are great, I have a deep love for history and i'm very grateful to have found your channel!!

The man we have to thank for the founding of America

I love this channel so much. I just love learning - education is elevation ❤️

never knew this angle! Thank YOU!

This was an excellent presentation. It had humor as well as scholarly explanations. Thank you.

I kinda want to see a Hamilton style musical from the British side now.

You learn so much from your channels! Thank you Simmon

That was a good video, thanks!

We here in India talk about Cornwallis too, about the Anglo-Mysore war. When I heard he was the same Cornwallis who lost at Yorktown I was really surprised. By the way, his successor was Governor General Wellesley, whose brother was the famous guy who beat Napoleon at Waterloo. I believe that Sir Arthur Wellesley also fought in the final Anglo-Mysore war, and learned much there about rocketry. Quite a matchless career, the Duke of Wellington had

Tavington... damn him! Damn that man!

Love these historical videos.

Fantastic video. Keep em coming

Lord Cornwallis as he's popularly called in India is also known as the father of Indian civil service. Came to India on 12th sept. 1786 as the Governor-general of Bengal. In 1793 introduced Cornwallis code, a body of legislation introducing governing, policing, judicial and civil administrative provisions.

Outstanding yet again. Thank you sir, as a Yank I've always felt his role in our revolution was not as conventionality depicted - no doubt the surrender could well have been avoided by a effective political Cornwallis in a leadership House role - not to be

Very informative. Now I know why Cornwallis had the habit of walking off cliffs, but not falling until he noticed that there was no ground under his feet. And why he primarily communicated with others by holding up pre-written signs.

Great video!

This channel is amazing, I have so many interests in history, and the lives of those who went through it all but never really liked reading books or do research and having a video that puts it all into one 20-30 minute video is amazing. Thank you!

just to clear up, the stamp act wasn't considered ridiculous because it was an undue burden, it was considered ridiculous because they saw it as an obvious circumvention of law regarding taxation. taxation of colonies had been debated before and it was considered illegal because of the representation requirement under the british constitution. the legality aside the stamp act was not unreasonably costly, in fact its main economic effect (and real purpose) was to curb smuggling in deep water ports. by keeping track of paper the government could keep track of who was writing falsified receipts on imports. a couple of dollars was all it took to convince a harbor worker to report a much lower tonnage and thus lower import duties. by issuing stamps 9n certain paper products the dock workers were forced to keep themselves account to british authorities. the point was to improve collection of legal duties and improve revenue, (the stamp cost was very small), and since the local elite were almost all profiting from smuggling and acting as a mafioso of sorts, they generated a lot of unrest locally for these new measures. they burned families of british officials alive in their homes, rioted, tortured people, and destroyed vast amounts of property in a campaign of disruption and intimidation to fight enforcement, and it worked. it led to a larger debate about the spirit of the law and was eventually co-opted by revolutionaries, radicals, and secessionists, culminating in the american revolution. you'd be amazed how many founding fathers had made their fortune in the "import export" business. like with things today, it wasn't a clear cut and simple, one idea vs another, conflict. it was a convoluted mess of conflicting ideas and motivations on both sides that eventually led to the outcome with which we are familiar, but pretending that it wasn't also a sordid affair on the part of the americans, or not a wholly greedy and malicious affair for the part of the british, is at best historical revisionism.

Very informative summary of the life and career of Cornwallis.

You should do John “Black Jack” Pershing Most great American generals from WWII served and were mentored by General “Black Jack” Pershing during WWI. These include Patton, Eisenhower, McArthur, George C. Marshall, and Omar Bradley For that reason, he’s extremely under rated in American history in my opinion. Not to mention he charges up San Juan Hill next to Teddy Roosevelt, and commanded the expedition sought out Pancho Villa Before any of that he also taught at an African American school and when he was 4 years old his home was raided by Confederate in 1864 looking for his Father because he flew the Union Flag over his general store in Missouri He lived and amazing and forgotten life that would be the worded set up for a biographics video

Wow. Very open and truthful view of Irish history at the end. This is a perfect time to request as an Irishman a video of Theobald Wolfe Tone. The leader of the United Irishmen and key figure in the disaster that was the 1798 Rebellion. In Irish Schools we are thought of 3 key events in the 1700s, the American Revolution and the establishment of Democracy, the French Revolution and the Republic, and the attempt to bring these values to Ireland. The attempt to live in a free society, where people are born equal, protected by Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, like our French and American nabours. Lets just say jts Ironic that said rebellion and Democratic aspiration led to the Act of Union of 1801.

“Useless”? That’s unfair and untrue.

This was the funniest Biographics so far!

Brilliant Simon!

SUGGESTION: Admiral Yi, The Greatest Medevial Naval Commander

I grew up in Eastern Virginia in the area of Yorktown. I have been to "Cornwallis' Cave" carved into the side of the York River where he set up one of his final command centers/hiding spots. I have also seen an archaeological dig in the York River where they are uncovering a ship that his forces sunk to create artificial reefs to prevent the French ships from entering the river.

Great vid ! Im sharing !

Hey Simon, I only have 2 things to say. 1. I simply love all your KZfaq videos, I have learned more about History from u than I did in school. 2. Just an idea, how about doing a Biography on Admiral Thomas Cochrane, he was a man with an incredible story and career, I’m pretty sure it would be an excellent video.

Aníbal Milhais, aka Soldier Millions, most decorated Portuguese soldier of World War I. Single-handedly held back a German assault with his Lewis gun allowing his whole company to retreat... Twice.

Would like to see a biography on either Ishikawa Goemon or Benkei the Giant Samurai or Admiral Yi!!!!

Well done.

as far as the tipur peace part, ive heard in one of your videos im sure, that if both sides are unhappy about the treaty, then its probably fair...or something smart like that

There's just something about listening to someone with a British accent talk about the American Revolution that makes me tingly inside. 🇺🇸 Love your work!

I just learned more about Cornwallis from this channel than I ever did at school. Thanks.

Hey Simon, you absolutely need to do a video on Terry Fox. In 1980, in his early 20's he ran the equivalent of a marathon a day as he set out to cross Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He did this with only one leg since his other leg had been amputated. His "Marathon of Hope" had to be abandoned half way through as his cancer got worse, taking his life shortly after. His legacy has lived on with a yearly run in his honor and has gone on to raise millions (likely billions) for cancer research.

Can we get a Simon Whistler biographics

Cornwallis: I deserve to be executed, your excellency. Pitt: don’t be so hard on yourself. How about a promotion in India?

The segue into your commercial at 8:52 is gold!

VERY interesting! Growing up in the US, I have heard Cornwallis’ name many times, but never really knew who he was. This was very interesting. And, I feel sorry for the guy.

Why have we not got a Bernard Montgomery Bio yet but you did Patton years ago? Im calling shenanigans.

I've been lucky enough to have visited Yorktown,,its a wonderfully interesting national park. A great place to visit if ur a history buff. Alot of history happened in Virginia.

Really good video. As a guy who’s gotten roped into things I had no desire or aptitude for, I sympathize.

Simon, I rather enjoyed this video. One of my favorites so far.

Why can I feel him, a mediocre dragged around to do things that requires expertise beyond himself

All I’ve read about Cornwallis confirms this. He wasn’t evil, he just was - and thank God for that.

One of my favourite biographics yet! Would be a really sad story if he weren’t just so comedically inept.

Extended Cornwallis, love it!

Could you pleeeease do an video about the second and last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II? He was the greatest brazilian ruler and patriot and you never did an video about an brazilian guy

"What could possibly go wrong?" *things go wrong* Maybe another famous British soldier for a Biographics, Sir Robert Baden Powell (the founder of the Scouting Movement) Amazing job as always Biographics

Good lessons "Kick in the nuts" Keep up the great work

Cornwallis: Send help plz! Clinton: Eh! I'll ignore that!

I Suspect that this is one of those Arnold j Rimmer past lives

Could you cover Major General Smedley Butler? A two time receipt of the Medal of Honour. Who would later write the book "War is a Racket".

Excellent episode! Would make a nice link to wolf tone and the United irishmen

Good video 👍

This reminds me of Joe Biden. Failing upwards with complicity.

1:25 - Chapter 1 - For king & country 5:15 - Chapter 2 - Revolution rock 8:55 - Mid roll ads 10:20 - Chapter 3 - The road to yorktown 14:00 - Chapter 4 - From Yorktown to the top 17:00 - Chapter 5 - Passage to india 20:25 - Chapter 6 - The failed union - Chapter 7 - PS: Considering how the colonies have turned out, he might have the last laugh !!!

Favorite youtuber ever

Hey Simon, I would love to see a video on Lord Louis Mountbatten. His character is pretty interesting to watch on "The Crown", and I'd like to see more about him!

I got to ask. You would prefer having Justing Trudeau the substitute drama teacher as your PM?