John Whitelocke: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

John Whitelocke (1757 - December 23, 1833), British soldier, was doubtless a descendant of Sir James Whitelocke.

He entered the army in 1778 and served in Jamaica and in San Domingo. In 1805 he was made a lieutenant-general and inspector-general of recruiting, and in 1807 he was appointed to command an expedition sent to seize Buenos Aires from the Spaniards. An attack on the city was stubbornly resisted, and subsequently Whitelocke undertook negotations with the opposing Spanish general which culminated in British forces abandoning the expedition and returning home later that year.

This proceeding was regarded with great disfavour both by the soldiers and others in South America and in England, and its author was brought before a court-martial in 1808. On all the charges except one he was found guilty and he was dismissed from the service. He lived in retirement until his death on the 23rd of October 1833.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.