The Death of General Wolfe

Dramatic view of General Wolfe’s death during the Battle of Quebec.

Despite all his eccentricities, General James Wolfe led his troops in a successful attack on Quebec during the Seven Years’ War. The victory would eventually lead the French to lose nearly all their territory in the New World, and would solidify Britain as the only European power on the continent other than Spain.

This steel engraving is based on a monumental painting of the event by Benjamin West done in 1770. He shocked viewers by using modern dress rather than the more traditional classical Roman costume and armor to depict the dramatic death.