James E. Oglethorpe – Father of Georgia
By Joseph Harris Chappell, 1905
James Edward Oglethorpe, a name synonymous with the founding of Georgia, stands as a towering figure in early American history. He was a multifaceted individual: a British general, a dedicated Member of Parliament, a committed philanthropist, and, most notably, the founder of the Georgia Colony. His life, spanning nearly nine decades, was a testament to his unwavering dedication to social reform, military service, and the establishment of a haven for the less fortunate.
Born in Westminster, England, on June 1, 1696, James Oglethorpe’s lineage hinted at a destiny marked by significance. His family boasted a history of notable individuals, tracing back six centuries to Sheriff Oglethorpe, a distinguished officer who valiantly fought and died in the Battle of Hastings, defending England against William the Conqueror. This ancestral legacy of courage and service undoubtedly shaped the character of James E. Oglethorpe.
Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, James’s father, continued the family’s military tradition, serving with distinction in the English army. He achieved the rank of Major-General before retiring at the age of forty to a comfortable life in Godalming, a town approximately thirty miles from London. The Oglethorpe household enjoyed considerable wealth, ensuring that James and his siblings received the finest education available in Europe at the time.
His mother, a Scotch-Irish woman from a respected family, possessed both intellect and charm. She held a position as one of the Ladies of the Court to Queen Anne, becoming a prominent figure in society and a force in political circles. Her strong will and sharp mind likely exerted a significant influence on the development of her son, James E. Oglethorpe.
Growing into a tall, athletic, and handsome young man, James displayed a quiet demeanor, a kind heart, and a spirited nature. His formal education included attendance at a military school, which prepared him for a career in the armed forces. Before reaching the age of twenty, he secured a commission as an ensign in the English army, serving under the renowned Duke of Marlborough. After his service he attended college. The allure of academia proved fleeting.
The cessation of hostilities in England led him to seek military engagement elsewhere. He joined the Austrian army, then embroiled in conflict with the Ottoman Empire. Serving under Prince Eugene of Savoy, considered the preeminent military leader of his era, Oglethorpe quickly garnered attention. Prince Eugene, despite his small stature, possessed a brilliance and strategic acumen that inspired awe. Carlyle, the esteemed English writer, famously described him as "a bright little soul with a flash in him as of heaven’s own lightning." Prince Eugene recognized Oglethorpe’s potential, appointing him as his aide-de-camp with the rank of Captain. This close association provided Oglethorpe with invaluable military experience, exposing him to the intricacies of warfare and solidifying his reputation for bravery. He later recounted his time in the Austrian army with great fondness, often captivating audiences with vivid accounts of the battles he had witnessed and the lessons he had learned under Prince Eugene’s tutelage. These experiences molded the man James E. Oglethorpe would become.
Upon his return to England following the conclusion of the Turkish war, Oglethorpe inherited the family estates after the deaths of his father and elder brothers, making him a wealthy man. He chose, however, to live a modest and disciplined life. He was elected to Parliament, where he served for many years. It was during his time in Parliament that an event occurred that fundamentally altered the course of his life, leading him to the shores of America and ultimately to the founding of Georgia.
A prevailing law at the time allowed creditors to imprison debtors until their debts were repaid. This harsh system resulted in the incarceration of countless individuals, often innocent of any crime other than financial misfortune. Among those affected by this law was a close friend of Oglethorpe’s, Robert Castell, a scholar and artist. Castell, consumed by the creation of a book on architecture, neglected his business affairs. When the book failed to generate sufficient income, he fell heavily into debt and was subsequently imprisoned.
The prison to which Castell was confined was plagued by smallpox. Castell, having never contracted the disease, pleaded with the prison keeper, a man named Bambridge, to allow him to remain in the common jail until the outbreak subsided or until his friends could arrange to pay his debts. Bambridge agreed, but only in exchange for a bribe, which Castell was unable to afford. Consequently, he was thrown into the smallpox-infested prison, where he quickly contracted the disease and died a painful death, leaving his wife and children destitute.
Oglethorpe was incensed upon learning of Castell’s tragic fate. He immediately introduced a bill in Parliament calling for the creation of a committee to investigate the conditions of England’s prisons and implement reforms. The bill passed, and Oglethorpe was appointed Chairman of the Committee. Over several months, he and the other members visited numerous prisons, uncovering widespread instances of cruelty and abuse, which they promptly abolished.
This act of prison reform alone would have secured Oglethorpe’s legacy as a humanitarian, but he did not stop there. His visits to the prisons awakened a deep empathy for the plight of the debtors languishing behind bars. He resolved to find a way to alleviate their suffering. Through his persuasive advocacy, he convinced Parliament to pass a law allowing debtors to be released from prison on the condition that they agree to emigrate to America and establish a new colony for England on a vast tract of unclaimed land south of the Savannah River. This territory bordered Florida, which was then under Spanish control. At the time, Spain was a formidable military power and a rival of England, although the two nations were not officially at war. This bold plan to help the debtors was the genesis of the colony of Georgia, a testament to the compassion of James E. Oglethorpe.
King George II of England, recognizing the strategic importance of securing the territory south of the Savannah River to protect South Carolina from Spanish encroachment, readily supported Oglethorpe’s endeavor. He granted Oglethorpe "for the use of debtors and other poor persons" all the land between the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers, extending westward as far as they chose to venture. This expanse of land was named Georgia in honor of King George. A Board of Trustees, comprised of thirty-six prominent individuals, was appointed to oversee the establishment and governance of the new colony. These Trustees, including Lord Perceval as president and Oglethorpe as a member, served without pay. They embarked on a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of establishing the colony and providing for the impoverished settlers. Parliament provided a generous appropriation, and public donations further augmented the funds, ultimately totaling $150,000, sufficient to launch the initial settlement.
During one of the Trustees’ meetings, the idea was proposed that a member of the Board, a man of education and leadership, should accompany the first colonists to America as their Governor, residing in Georgia until the colony was firmly established. Oglethorpe selflessly volunteered, a decision met with enthusiastic approval by the Trustees. This commitment required Oglethorpe to relinquish his comfortable life, the social circles he enjoyed, and the promising political career that lay before him in England, in exchange for the hardships, deprivations, and dangers that awaited him in the New World.
At the time, Oglethorpe was forty-three years old and unmarried. News of his decision to personally lead the expedition sparked a surge of interest among the poor and indebted. Hundreds applied to join the venture, but only a select few could be accommodated. The Trustees carefully chose forty men of sound character, good health, and small families. In total, the group comprised 120 men, women, and children.
The ship Anne, a sailing vessel of two hundred tons, was chartered to transport the emigrants across the Atlantic. As it sat docked at Gravesend, it was loaded with provisions, tools, and equipment essential for the journey and for establishing the colony in Georgia. Everything was prepared for the voyage.
On November 16, 1732, Oglethorpe and his colonists departed England. They arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 13, 1733, where they sought the advice and assistance of Governor Robert Johnson. Before settling the emigrants in Georgia, Oglethorpe, aided by South Carolina colonists, scouted for the most suitable location for the colony. After identifying a site on a high bluff near the Savannah River, he returned to South Carolina to gather the immigrants. On February 12, 1733, they arrived at the chosen site, where they would soon begin building the city of Savannah, Georgia.
From 1733 to 1743, James Oglethorpe remained in Georgia, dedicating himself to the development and defense of the colony. In 1736, he was appointed colonel and placed in command of a British regiment tasked with defending Georgia from Spanish incursions. Oglethorpe spent the last six years of his time in Georgia on St. Simons Island, where he constructed Fort Frederica. In 1742, his forces successfully repelled a Spanish invasion at the Battle of Bloody Marsh, a victory that earned Oglethorpe a promotion to brigadier general in the British Army.
Oglethorpe returned to England in 1743 and married Elizabeth Wright in September 1744. He spent the final four decades of his life divided between London and his wife’s inherited estate in Cranham. James E. Oglethorpe died on June 30, 1785, at the age of eighty-eight. His legacy as the founder of Georgia, a champion of the oppressed, and a dedicated public servant endures to this day.
By Joseph Harris Chappell, 1905. Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2024.
Also See:
The Founding of Savannah
Georgia Main Page
Early American People Photo Gallery
Georgia Photo Gallery