The other day I posted comments regarding:
The Immortal Game: A History of Chess or How 32 Carved Pieces On A Board Illuminated Our Understanding of War, Art, Science, and the Human Brain; David Shenk, c. 2006.
At the time, I
said I couldn't recommend the book one way or the other. At that time, I
had barely begun the book. Now I am about halfway through the book and
am loving it. Highly, highly recommend it. The vignette about the
Benjamin Franklin's tête-a-tête / chess game with Lady Howe is worth the
price of the book.
Lady Howe, nee Mary Hartrop, was Admiral Richard Howe's wife. Admiral Howe served as "a" British naval officer during the American Revolutionary War. "A" -- LOL.
Admiral Richard Howe's brother was General William Howe who rose to become Commander-in-Chief, America during the American War of Independence. Howe was one of three brothers who had distinguished military careers.
Keeping track of the Howes:
- General William Howe (#3) was born in England, the third son of Emanuel Howe, 2nd Viscount Howe, and Charlotte, the daughter of Sophia von Kielmansegg, Countess of Leinster and Darlington, an acknowledged illegitimate half-sister of King George I.
- His mother was a regular in the courts of George II and George III.
- This connection with the crown may have improved the careers of all four sons, but all were also very capable officers.
- His father was a politician, who served as Governor of Barbados where he died in 1735.
- William's eldest brother, General George Howe (#1), was killed just before the 1758 Battle of Carillon at Fort Ticonderoga.
- Another brother, Admiral Richard Howe (#2), rose to become one of Britain's leading naval commanders.
- A third brother, Thomas Howe (#4), commanded ships for the East India Company, Winchelsea in 1762–1764 and Nottingham in 1766, and made observations on Madeira and on the Comoro Islands.
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