George Meade

(George Gordon Meade)

Born: December 31, 1815 in Cadiz, Spain

Died: November 6, 1872 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Military Rank (USA): Major General

• His family was living in Spain when Meade was born because his father was serving in Spain as a naval agent for the U.S. government. His family was originally from Philadelphia, and they returned to the U.S. in 1817 in financial instability.
• He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1835.
• He fought in the Second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War.
• After the Mexican-American War, he designed lighthouses (including Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island, Absecon Light in Atlantic City, and Cape May Light in Cape May).
• He was wounded in the arm, back, and side during the Battle of Glendale, recovering in time for the Second Battle of Bull Run.
• After Hooker was wounded during the Battle of Antietam, Meade temporarily replaced him.
• Meade officially replaced Hooker just three days before the Battle of Gettysburg, where Meade defeated Lee.
• Meade was commissioner of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia from 1866 until his death.
• He died of pneumonia and complications from old wounds.