Brent Spencer

Who was Brent Spencer?

General Sir Brent Spencer GCB was an officer in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War and French Revolutionary Wars. During the Peninsular War he became Lord Arthur Wellesley's second-in-command on two occasions. He fought at Vimeiro and testified in Wellesley's favor at the inquiry following the Convention of Cintra. He led a division at Bussaco and two divisions at Fuentes de Onoro. After the latter action, he had an independent command in northern Portugal. Wellesley, now Lord Wellington, was not satisfied that Spencer was up to the responsibilities of second-in-command and he was replaced by Thomas Graham. Miffed, Spencer left Portugal and never returned. He became a full general in 1825.