Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 49
Until this time, Oglethorpe had been a somewhat inactive, if not an
obscure member of the English House of Commons. But as the result
of this visit to the Fleet, Oglethorpe became a conspicuous figure in the
movement for the reform of English prisons, its recognized leader on the
floor of Parliament. Humanitarian and soldier both, he became one of
the foremost men of his day, extolled by Alexander Pope, admired by
Samuel Johnson, limned on canvas by Joshua Reynolds, an intimate
friend of Edmund Burke, of Oliver Goldsmith, and of Bishop Berkeley.
His work in founding a colony for indigent debtors will be unfolded
more in detail as this narrative proceeds. But to give him a better intro
duction a few preliminary facts are needed.
James Edward Oglethorpe, founder of the colony of Georgia, be
longed to an ancient family of high repute in England. His military
genius was of paternal origin. Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, his father, to
whom he was born the third son, attained a major-general's commis
sion in the British army. He also became first equerry to James II who
assigned him to an important command of the forces assembled to oppose
the Prince of Orange.* The gentler phases of his character were doubt
less derived from his mother. There has been some dispute as to the
exact date of his birth but from an entry in the parish register of St.
James, Westminster, he was born on June 1, 1689. t While still a mere
youth, he matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford; but more
soldier than student he became impatient for a military career, relin
quished his collegiate studies and in 1710 entered the English army as
an ensign. This rank he retained until 1714 when he became captain-
lieutenant in the first troop of the Queen's Life Guards. But an idle
career at home proved irksome to the young officer. Consequently we
soon find him on the continent, serving "as a gentleman volunteer.'.'
Under the renowned Prince Eugene of Savoy he perfected himself in the
art of war. To this gallant commander he bore a strong letter of recom
mendation from the Duke of Argyle and was thereupon given appoint
ment on Prince Eugene's staff, first as secretary and later as aide de
camp. An apt pupil he made rapid progress, winning from his renowned
chief not only esteem and confidence, but also high encomiums. When
peace was concluded, in 1718, he returned to England, "versed in the
principles of military science, accustomed to command, inured to the
shock of arms, instructed in the conduct of campaigns, the management
of sieges and the orders of battle, and possessing a reputation for man
hood, executive ability, and warlike knowledge not often acquired by one
of his years.''
Boswell, in his "Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson," has preserved the fol
lowing spicy ancedote of Oglethorpe when a volunteer of the continent;
but he is doubtless mistaken as to the young soldier's age at the time in
question: J " The general told us that when he was a very young man,
I think only fifteen, serving under Prince Eugene of Savoy, he was sit
ting in a company at table with a prince of Wurtemberg. The prince
took up a glass of wine, and, by a fillip, made some of it fly in Ogle-
* "Wright's Memoir of Oglethorpe," p. 3.
t Col. Chas. C. Jones, Jr., "History of Georgia," Vol. I, p. 82.
i. Murray's Edition, Vol. Ill, pp. 217-218.