Louis-Joseph de Montcalm

Montcalm
Portrait by Antoine-François Sergent-Marceau
Born	Chateau de Candiac, near Nîmes, France
Died	14 September 1759(1759-09-14) (aged 47) Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Quebec
Buried	Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Quebec
Allegiance	Kingdom of France
Service/branch	Royal French Army
Years of service	1721–1759
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Regiment d'Auxerrois Regiment de Montcalm Commander-in-chief, New France
Battles/wars	War of the Polish Succession Siege of Kehl Siege of Philippsburg War of the Austrian Succession Siege of Prague Battle of Piacenza Battle of Assietta Seven Years' War Battle of Fort Oswego Battle of Fort William Henry Battle of Carillon Battle of Beauport Battle of the Plains of Abraham †
Awards	Order of Saint Louis
Spouse(s)	Angelique Louise Talon du Boulay
Signature

Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon, Marquis de Montcalm de Saint-Veran (French pronunciation: [lwi ʒozɛf də mɔ̃kalm ɡozɔ̃]; 28 February 1712 – 14 September 1759) was a French soldier best known as the commander of the forces in North America during the Seven Years' War (whose North American theatre is also referred to as the French and Indian War).

Montcalm was born near Nîmes in France to a noble family, and entered military service early in life. He saw service in the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession, where his distinguished service led to promotion to brigadier general. In 1756, King Louis XV sent him to New France to lead its defence against the British in the Seven Years' War. Montcalm met with notable successes in 1756, 1757 and 1758, but British mobilisation of large numbers of troops against New France led to military setbacks in 1758 and 1759 (when, in January, he was promoted to lieutenant general), culminating in Montcalm's death at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Montcalm's service in New France was marked by conflict between himself and the Governor General of the colony, Pierre de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial. These men were the leaders of the war effort in New France during the Seven Years' War.

Montcalm has been much memorialized, especially in France, Quebec and parts of New York and Lower Michigan. Military historians have praised and criticized his decisions in defending Quebec.