Richard Dawson (died c. 1800) was a

soldier A soldier is a person who is a member of an army. A soldier can be a conscripted or volunteer enlisted person, a non-commissioned officer, or an officer. Etymology The word ''soldier'' derives from the Middle English word , from Old French ...

and administrator who served as the second

Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man The Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man ( gv, Fo-chiannoort Vannin or ''Lhiass-chiannoort Vannin'') is the Lord of Mann's official personal representative in the Isle of Man. He has the power to grant royal assent and is styled "His Excelle ...

Career

Dawson served in the Royal Engineers reaching the rank of Major in 1772. From 1775 Dawson acted as Lieutenant Governor and Deputy to the

Governor of the Isle of Man The title of Governor of the Isle of Man existed until 1828. Other titles were also used, especially before 1595. *Holan (1219–?), titled Seneschal *''List incomplete'' *Fogall McHascatt (1260–?), titled Seneschal *Godfrey MacManus (1266– ...

. Promoted to

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

in 1783, he retired to

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. ...

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

in 1790. He was given the rank of

Major-General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

in 1793 and

Lieutenant General Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

in 1798 but died two years later. His wife died following a house fire in 1804.The Gentleman's magazine, Volume 95
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References

1800 deaths Lieutenant Governors of the Isle of Man Year of birth unknown British Army lieutenant generals Royal Engineers officers {{UK-army-bio-stub