Picton, Thomas, Sir, 1758-1815

Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton (24 August 1758 – 18 June 1815) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. He fought in the Napoleonic Wars and died at Waterloo. According to the historian Alessandro Barbero, Picton was "respected for his courage and feared for his irascible temperament". The Duke of Wellington called him "a rough foul-mouthed devil as ever lived", but found him capable. While his military prowess is not in doubt, as a colonial administrator he was considered to be a harsh disciplinarian, even by some at the time. He approved the use of torture during his governorship of Trinidad. He was put on trial in England for approving the picketing of a 14-year-old girl. Though convicted, Picton later had a retrial arguing that Trinidad was subject to Spanish law, in which no judgement was ever reached by the jury. Controversy over his use of torture has revived in recent years and Picton's role in the Atlantic slave trade has also come under scrutiny (he was a slave owner who was involved in slave catching). In 2020, Cardiff Council voted to remove Picton's statue in the "Heroes of Wales" gallery in Cardiff City Hall. In the same year it was reported that a plaque was removed from Picton's birthplace. In 2022, the National Museum Cardiff relocated Picton's portrait from its "Faces of Wales" gallery to a side room, accompanied by descriptions of his brutal treatment of the people of Trinidad. The town of Picton in New Zealand, named for Picton, has considered reverting to its Māori name in response to his actions as governor of Trinidad. Picton is also remembered for his exploits under Wellington in the Iberian Peninsular War of 1807–1814, during which he displayed great bravery and persistence. He was killed in 1815 fighting at the Battle of Waterloo whilst commanding the 5th Infantry Division. During a crucial stage in the battle he was ordered by Wellington to intervene in the Allied centre, which was beginning to buckle under the weight of a heavy French assault. Picton led the 5th division in aggressive counter-advance which stopped d'Erlon's corps' attack against the allied centre left. The manoeuvre however cost Picton his life when he was struck through the head by French shot. His body was carried from the field by soldiers of the 32nd Foot who Picton had personally led in a bayonet charge against the French line. He was the most senior officer to die at Waterloo. At the time of his death he was a sitting Member of Parliament.