Patrick Ferguson: 'A Man of Some Genius' [Paperback]

' ... painstaking, vivid and accurate. I can think of no short biography which has pleased me more, or thrown a brighter light onto the events in which its subject played his small but distinguished part.' Richard Holmes, TV historian and author of Redcoat: The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Museket

There was much more to the man than a single stroke of innovative brilliance. An interesting book.

...an absorbing study of a young man remembered with respect in America, all but forgotten at home.

This is the first modern biography of Patrick Ferguson (1744-80) -- famous as the designer of the British Army's first breech-loading rifle and one of Scotland's most courageous and engaging military heroes. Rebellion in America gave Ferguson opportunity to demonstrate his military talents until crippling injury threatened his life and career. He overcame his disability with inspiring determination and wit, finally dying, sword in hand, while commanding Loyal American Troops at King's Mountain, North Carolina. The author has had access to family letters, including 21 years' worth of personal letters from Ferguson to his sister.

This is the first modern biography of one of Enlightenment
Scotland's most courageous and endearing heroes. I was fortunate enough to
gain access to over 25 years' worth of his personal correspondence, mainly
to his favourite sister Betty and her husband. This helped me get to know
him at a very personal level. I find it hard to walk around the Old Town of
Edinburgh without imagining him and his friends in the same places. I hope
that I have managed to do justice to his indomitable courage, wit and
charm.

M M Gilchrist