British general, philanthropist, and founder of Georgia (USA). He entered Parliament (1722) after serving under Prince Eugène of Savoy. Espousing the cause of imprisoned debtors, he led a group of philanthropists who became trustees of the new North American colony of Georgia in 1732. He founded Savannah (1733) and governed the colony on paternalistic lines, encouraging immigration of persecuted Protestants from Europe and of former soldiers. His military preparedness saved the colony from Spanish attack in 1742, after which he returned to Britain, where he fought against the Forty-Five rebellion.