MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY: The Making of an American Hero

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Incorporating new scholarship and archival discoveries, profiles Richard Montgomery, a forgotten hero of the Revolutionary War. Born in Ireland, served in North America during the Seven Years' War and commanded the American invasion of Canada in 1775. The first and highest-ranking American general killed in the Revolution, Montgomery was an important heroic symbol in the early republic. Those who favored independence, such as Thomas Paine, used his image to build support for their cause. Hugh Henry Brackenridge and other writers portrayed the slain general as an embodiment of virtue and self-sacrifice to nurture the war effort and a national identity. Contains 16 photos.