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Robert Prescott, soldier, colonial administrator (b in Lancashire, Eng c 1726; d at Rose Green, W Sussex, Eng 21 Dec 1815). He joined the British army in 1745 and saw service during the Seven Years' War at Louisbourg in 1758.
He was appointed aide-de-camp to General Jeffery Amherst in 1759 and took part in the advance on Montréal the following year. He later served in the American Revolution in the West Indies. Briefly governor of Martinique (1794-95), Prescott was appointed governor-in-chief of the Canadas, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and commander of forces in British North America in 1796. He assumed office in April 1797. Although governor-in-chief until 1807, he spent only 3 years in Canada. Prescott was noted for stubbornness and irascibility, but he was not without skill. His decisive and judicious manner, however, was not enough to help him resolve the difficulties he faced in Lower Canada, especially those related to land affairs. He was recalled in 1799.
