Early career
Hopson was born on 5 June 1696, the second son of vice admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn and Elizabeth Timbrell. He initially joined the Royal Marines in 1703, but later transferred to join the British Army. He rose his way up to Lieutenant Colonel by 1743, serving mainly in Gibraltar.Louisbourg (1746-49)
Following Colonel Hugh Warburton, in the Spring of 1746 Hopson arrived in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia with a number of reinforcements intending to relieve the existing British garrison. The settlement had only been captured from the French the previous year. From 1747 until 1749 he served as commander of the town, until it was handed back as part of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. On 12 July 1749 he formally handed over the town to the returning French troops.Governor of Nova Scotia
During Father Le Loutre's War, Hopson served as Governor of Nova Scotia (1752–1754) from the British capital of Halifax. While combating the Mi'kmaq and Acadian raids, he maintained relatively good relations with the French at Louisbourg and Quebec. Edward Cornwallis created the Treaty of 1752, which Hobson and Jean-Baptiste Cope signed. Hobson then sent the delegation that ended in the Attack at Isle Madame, which led to Cope destroying the treaty.Seven Years' War
Canada
Once a fresh war broke out with France in 1756, Hopson returned to Halifax and helped organise the British response to the threat of a French attack. He also played a role in the Great Upheaval of French-speaking inhabitants of Nova Scotia before returning home to Britain. He was passed over for a role in the large British attempt to capture Louisbourg in 1758.West Indies
Instead he was appointed to command a major expedition to the West Indies. The campaign was a central part of William Pitt's strategy to win the war, by seizing profitable French colonies in the Caribbean. Hopson's choice was particularly favoured byReferences
Bibliography
* Anderson, Fred. ''Crucible of War: Faber and Faber, 2000'' * McLynn, Frank. ''1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World.'' Pimlico, 2005 {{DEFAULTSORT:Hopson, Peregrine 1696 births 1759 deaths British Army personnel of the War of the Austrian Succession British Army personnel of the Seven Years' War British military personnel of the French and Indian War British Army major generals West Yorkshire Regiment officers 48th Regiment of Foot officers Worcestershire Regiment officers Governors of the Colony of Nova Scotia People of Father Le Loutre's War