Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A British military commander and colonial administrator: Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, was a senior British Army officer and official. He is most historically significant for his role as the commander of British forces during the American War of Independence, where his surrender at the Siege of Yorktown was a decisive event.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • General Charles Cornwallis, later the first marquess Cornwallis, surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown.
  • The first marquess Cornwallis also served as Governor-General of India.

Advanced Usage

• Historical reference: The title "first marquess Cornwallis" is used in formal historical texts to refer specifically to Charles Cornwallis after he was elevated to the peerage as a marquess in 1792. It distinguishes him from other individuals with the surname Cornwallis.
  • The reforms implemented by the first marquess Cornwallis in India had long-lasting effects.

Variants and Related Words

• Lord Cornwallis: A common way to refer to him, especially before his elevation to marquess or in a general context.
• Charles Cornwallis: His full name, used in historical narratives.
• Cornwallis: The surname alone is often used to refer to him in historical discussions of the American Revolution.

Synonyms

• British commander: A general descriptive term for his primary historical role.
• Military leader: A broader term applicable to his position.

Notes on Meaning

• This term refers exclusively to the specific historical figure, Charles Cornwallis (1738–1805). It is not a common noun and has no other general meanings. Its usage is confined to historical and biographical contexts concerning the British Empire in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Noun

1. commander of the British forces in the American War of Independence; was defeated by American and French troops at Yorktown (1738-1805)