Ben thompson biography

American-born British military officer and scientist

For other people named Benjamin Thompson, see Benjamin Thompson (disambiguation).

ColonelSir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, FRS (26 March 1753 – 21 August 1814), was an American-born British military officer, scientist, inventor and nobleman. Born in Woburn, Massachusetts, he supported the Loyalist cause during the American War of Independence, commanding the King's American Dragoons during the conflict. After the war ended in 1783, Thompson moved to London, where he was recognised for his administrative talents and received a knighthood from George III in 1784.

A prolific scientist and inventor, Thompson also created several new warship designs. He subsequently moved to the Electorate of Bavaria and entered into the employ of the Bavarian government, heavily reorganising the Bavarian Army. Thompson was rewarded for his efforts by being made an Imperial Count in 1792 before dying in Par

•

“It is about time! Ben Thompson deserves a biography—his life was filled with adventure and tragedy from beginning to end, and over a surprisingly broad range of territories and states. The authors have done exhaustive research on the subject. The documentation is impressive and even the notes are filled with useful information. This book is a winner.”—Gary L. Roberts, author of Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend
 
“This book will likely stand as the definitive biography of Thompson. It is very well researched with heavy reliance on primary sources.”—Mike Cox, author of The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900 and Time of the Rangers: Texas Rangers from 1900 to the Present

"A solid work of impeccable scholarship. . . . [O]f immense interest to both academia and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the famous gunfighters of the Old West."--Midwest Book Review

'[T]he ultimate Tho

•

Ben Thompson: Portrait of a Gunfighter

About Bicknell and Parsons's Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson was a remarkable man, and few Texans can claim to have crowded more excitement, danger, skådespel, and tragedy into their lives than he did. He was an Indian fighter, Texas Ranger, Confederate cavalryman, mercenary for a foreign kejsare, hired gun for a railroad, an elected lagens man, professional gambler, and the victor of numerous gunfights.

As a leading member of the Wild West’s sporting element, Ben Thompson spent most of his life moving in the unsavory underbelly of the West: saloons, dance-houses, billiard halls, bordellos, and gambling dens. During these travels many of the Wild West’s most famous icons—Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin, John Ringo, and Buffalo Bill Cody—became acquainted with Ben Thompson. Some of these dock called him a friend; others considered him a deadly enemy.

In life and in