The Most Famous Loyalist, Ranked

Choose the Loyalist you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 5, 2024 07:08
History often celebrates the victors, yet the stories of those who stood on the other side are equally compelling, offering valuable insights into the full spectrum of past conflicts. By ranking famous Loyalists, individuals gain a nuanced understanding of their ideologies and actions, helping to paint a more complete picture of historical events. This ranking serves as a tool to gauge public perception and awareness regarding these historical figures. Each vote cast in this ranking contributes to a broader comprehension and acknowledgment of Loyalists' roles in history. Users have the opportunity to influence the visibility of these figures, promoting a more balanced recollection of past events. As rankings shift based on collective input, they reflect current interpretations and interests, encouraging ongoing engagement and learning.

Who Is the Most Famous Loyalist?

  1. 1
    58
    votes
    Benedict Arnold
    Thomas Hart · Public domain
    A military leader who defected from the Continental Army to the British during the American Revolution. His name remains synonymous with betrayal.
    Benedict Arnold in other rankings
  2. 2
    25
    votes
    A British officer who led a group of loyalist soldiers known as Butler's Rangers during the American Revolution.
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    Thomas Hutchinson
    Edward Truman · Public domain
    A governor of Massachusetts who supported British policies leading up to the American Revolution. He was forced to flee to England after his home was destroyed by a mob.
  4. 4
    21
    votes
    William Franklin
    film studio · Public domain
    The last colonial governor of New Jersey and a loyalist during the American Revolution. He was imprisoned for several years after the war.
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    Joseph Brant
    George Romney · Public domain
    A Mohawk leader who supported the British during the American Revolution. He led raids against American settlements and later resettled in Canada.
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    The mayor of New York City during the American Revolution who remained loyal to the British. He was forced to flee to England after the war.
  7. 7
    5
    votes
    A British officer who led loyalist forces in Florida during the American Revolution. He later became a plantation owner in Georgia.
  8. 8
    5
    votes
    John Singleton Copley
    John Singleton Copley · Public domain
    An American-born painter who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution. He spent most of his life in England.
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    A writer who supported British rule during the American Revolution. He wrote several pamphlets defending the British government.
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Samuel Seabury
    Ralph Earl · Public domain
    A priest in the Episcopal Church who supported British rule during the American Revolution. He later became the first bishop of the Episcopal Church in America.

Missing your favorite Loyalist?

Graphs
Discussion

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Loyalist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Loyalist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1850 views
  • 171 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Loyalist once every 24 hours. The rank of each Loyalist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most famous loyalist

Background Information: Who is the Most Famous Loyalist? The American Revolution was a tumultuous time in history, marked by a clash between loyalists and patriots. Loyalists were individuals who remained loyal to the British Crown and opposed the revolution, while patriots supported the cause of American independence. The conflict between these two groups was fierce and often violent, with both sides fighting for their beliefs. One of the most famous loyalists of the American Revolution was Benedict Arnold. Arnold was a successful American general who switched sides and became a loyalist after feeling slighted by the Continental Congress. He went on to serve as a British general and was responsible for several pivotal victories for the British in the war. Another well-known loyalist was John Butler. Butler was a British officer who led a group of loyalist soldiers known as Butler's Rangers. They were instrumental in several battles during the war, including the Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Oriskany. Other notable loyalists include Samuel Seabury, who became the first American bishop of the Church of England, and Thomas Hutchinson, who served as governor of Massachusetts and was forced to flee the colony when the revolutionaries took control. Despite their efforts, loyalists ultimately lost the battle for American independence. However, their legacy lives on, and their contributions to the shaping of American history should not be forgotten.

Share this article