Early Life
Montgomery was born in Swords, Ireland. His father, Thomas Montgomery, was a former British Army Officer and a member of the Irish Parliament. He was a brother of Colonel Alexander Montgomery (1720–1800) and a cousin of Colonel Alexander Montgomery (1686–1729), both Members of Parliament for County Donegal. Another first cousin was an M.P. for County Monaghan,also named Alexander Montgomery (died 1785).
Richard Montgomery spent most of his childhood near Donegal, where he learned to hunt, ride, shoot, and fence. Thomas Montgomery made sure that Montgomery received a good education; he learned French, Latin, and rhetoric, and attended a school outside of Belfast. In 1754, the same year that the French and Indian War began in North America, Montgomery enrolled in Trinity College.
Despite his great love of knowledge Montgomery did not receive a degree. He was urged by his father and his oldest brother Alexander to join the military, which he did on September 21, 1756. His father purchased an ensign's commission for Montgomery, who joined the 17th Regiment of Foot.
Read more about this topic: Richard Montgomery
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or life:
“Even today . . . experts, usually male, tell women how to be mothers and warn them that they should not have children if they have any intention of leaving their side in their early years. . . . Children don’t need parents’ full-time attendance or attention at any stage of their development. Many people will help take care of their needs, depending on who their parents are and how they chose to fulfill their roles.”
—Stella Chess (20th century)
“I don’t believe that children can develop in a healthy way unless they feel that they have value apart from anything they own or any skill that they learn. They need to feel they enhance the life of someone else, that they are needed. Who, better than parents, can let them know that?”
—Fred Rogers (20th century)