Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland

Who was Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland?

Lieutenant-General Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland FRS was an officer in the British army and later a British peer. He participated in the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Long Island during the American Revolutionary War, but resigned his command in 1777 due to disagreements with his superior, General Howe.

Born Hugh Smithson, he assumed the surname of Percy by Act of Parliament along with his father in 1750 and was styled Lord Warkworth from 1750 until 1766. He was styled Earl Percy from 1766, when his father was created Duke of Northumberland. He acceded to the dukedom in 1786.