Background
Born into an aristocratic family, Clinton (1730-1795) was a member of Parliament and a veteran of the Seven Years War who had been wounded in Germany. Promoted to Major General in 1772, he arrived in Boston with Major Generals Burgoyne and Howe on May 25, 1775.

At the Battle
Posted in command of the British army reserves at Copp’s Hill, Clinton led reinforcements across from Boston to assist Howe in the final assault on the redoubt on Breed’s Hill. He pushed on past the redoubt and up Bunker Hill, driving the remaining patriot soldiers from the peninsula.

After the Battle
Success at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776 earned Clinton a knighthood and promotion to Lieutenant General. In May 1778, he became commander-in-chief of British forces in North America, a post he held until returning to England in 1782. Many blamed him for the loss of the colonies and he spent much of the rest of his life defending his reputation.

About the Portrait
Copy painted for the Bunker Hill Monument Association at the National Portrait Gallery in 1909. The original is attributed to Italian artist Andrea Soldi (1703-1771 ). Probably painted in 1762 to mark Clinton’s promotion to colonel, the original is now at the American Museum in Britain at Bath, England.

On Loan from the Bunker Hill Monument Association