Frederick Adam

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General Sir Frederick Adam GCB GCMG (17 June 1781 – 17 August 1853) was a Scottish soldier who rose to become a senior British Army general and a trusted administrator in the overseas British world. He is best known for commanding the 3rd (Light) Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo and later serving as Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands and as Governor of Madras.

Early life
Adam was born at Blairadam House in Fife, Scotland, the fourth son of William Adam of Blair Adam and his wife Eleanora Elphinstone. He joined the British Army in 1795 at the age of fourteen and trained at the artillery school in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.

Military career
He began his career as a lieutenant and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a major in 1803 and a lieutenant colonel in 1804. He fought in the campaigns in the Netherlands and Egypt under Sir Ralph Abercromby and then spent several years in Sicily (1806–1811).

In the Peninsular War (1812–1813), Adam was seriously wounded at Alicante. On 12 April 1813, he led a bold rearguard action at Biar while commanding the Light Brigade. The next day, his unit helped deliver a heavy blow to Suchet’s forces at Castalla. He was wounded again at Ordal on 13 September 1813. At the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815, Adam commanded the 3rd British Brigade in Henry Clinton’s 2nd Division. His troops attacked the French Imperial Guard’s flank, contributing to their retreat, while the British Guards and Prussians closed in on the remaining French forces.

Later career
From 1817 to 1824 Adam continued his military service. He then served as Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands from 1824 to 1832, where he oversaw the construction of public buildings on Corfu, including Mon Repos, and won the appreciation of the local population. He was sworn into the Privy Council in 1831. He returned to India as Governor of Madras from 25 October 1832 to 4 March 1837. He was promoted to general in 1846.

Death and legacy
Adam died on 17 August 1853 at age 72. He is remembered as a courageous field commander at Waterloo and as a capable administrator who helped shape the Ionian Islands and Madras during his years of service.