Henry Knox 1750-1806

Charles Willson Peale’s portrait of Henry Knox, 1784

Henry Knox was a Revolutionary War general whose efforts to build a robust American militia were paramount to the colonies’ victory against Britain, as well as the development of the early Republic’s armed forces. A self-taught pupil of military history, Knox possessed a keen understanding of martial strategy that catapulted him to the roles of Chief Artillery Officer, General, and ultimately Secretary of War.

Throughout his life, Knox’s “buoyant” disposition and loyal character made him a friend to many, including George Washington.As Washington entrusted Knox with some of the most critical responsibilities of the war and his subsequent presidency, Boston-born Knox defied Washington’s preconceived notions of New Englanders as uncooperative and distrustful. The two men built a lifelong friendship marked my mutual respect and admiration.“With respect to General Knox,” Washington once wrote, “there is no man in the United States with whom I have been in habits of greater intimacy; no one whom I have loved more sincerely, nor any for whom I have had a greater friendship.”