John Drinkwater Bethune

Colonel John Drinkwater Bethune (born John Drinkwater, 9 June 1762 – 16 January 1844) was a British Army officer and historian best known for his account of the Great Siege of Gibraltar that came out in 1785.

Origins Born at Latchford on 9 June 1762, he was the eldest son of John Drinkwater (1740–1797), a surgeon in the Royal Navy, and his first wife Elizabeth Andrews.

Career At the age of fifteen he joined the 72nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Manchester Volunteers) as an ensign and was almost immediately posted to Gibraltar. From June 1779 to February 1783 this small British possession was under siege from French and Spanish forces, during which time he kept a careful record of events. When peace came, he had become a captain but his regiment was sent back to Britain and disbanded. From his notes he wrote A history of the late siege of Gibraltar, 1779–1783, with a description and account of that garrison from the earliest period, published in 1785, which was widely read and frequently reprinted.

They had seven children, including: Eleanor, who married the Reverend William Thomas Hadow and was the grandmother of Sir William Henry Hadow. John, a civil servant remembered for promoting women's education in India. Charles, who rose to Admiral in the Royal Navy and was the father of Lieutenant-General Edward Cecil Bethune. Mary, who married Norman James Biggs Uniacke. Georgiana, who married Henry Malden.

Works A History of the Siege of Gibraltar 1779–1783 (New ed.). London: John Murray. 1905. A Narrative of the Battle of St. Vincent (2nd ed.). London: Saunders and Otley. 1840. A Compendium of the Regent's Canal, Showing its Connection with the Metropolis (1830) Statements respecting the late departments of the comptrollership of the army accounts, showing the inconvenience which will probably result from its abolition. (1835)