Episode 162: Dunmore’s New World: The British Empire and the American Revolution

by Liz CovartNovember 28, 2017

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What did British imperial officials in London and their North America-based representatives make of the American Revolution?

In this episode, we explore the American Revolution through the eyes of John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, a British imperial official who served the empire in North America before, during, and after the American Revolution.

James Corbett David, author of Dunmore’s New World: The Extraordinary Life of a Royal Governor in Revolutionary America, serves as our guide for this exploration.

About the Series

The mission of episodes in the Doing History: To the Revolution series. is to ask not just “what is the history of the American Revolution?” but “what are the histories of the American Revolution?”

The Doing History series explores early American history and how historians work. It’s produced by the Omohundro Institute.

Be sure to check out Doing History season 1, Doing History: How Historians Work.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

In this episode, James Corbett David, author of Dunmore’s New World: The Extraordinary Life of a Royal Governor in Revolutionary America, leads us on an exploration of the American Revolution through the eyes of John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, a British imperial official who served the empire in North America before, during, and after the American Revolution.

As we explore the Revolution from an imperial point of view, Jim reveals details about the life of John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore; How imperial officials viewed the loyalties of British North Americans toward the British crown and empire; And, information about Dunmore’s Proclamation including what led Dunmore to issue it and whether it had any impact on the British war effort.

Correction from Jim David 7 December 2017: During our discussion of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, I mistakenly stated that Bonnie Prince Charlie was captured following the Battle of Culloden. In truth, he (famously) eluded capture and fled the British Isles for the continent, where he spent the rest of his life in exile. Additionally, Dunmore’s father turned himself in to authorities before being captured.

What You’ll Discover

John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
The Jacobite Rising of 1745
Dunmore as the royal governor of New York
British North Americans’ loyalties to the British crown and empire
The Proclamation Line of 1763
Dunmore’s reaction to the American Revolution
Dunmore’s Proclamation
Dunmore as royal governor of the Bahamas
Dunmore’s plans to recapture parts of North America for Great Britain

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Time Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if Lord Dunmore had been able to use the Bahamas as a staging area for a British offensive in continental North America? How would the history of the United States and continental North America have been different? 