William Draper (British Army officer)
Sir William Draper | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, c. 1765 | |
| Born | 1721 |
| Died | 8 January 1787 (aged 65–66) England |
| Resting place | Bath Abbey |
| Education | King's College, Cambridge |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Beauclerk Susanna De Lancey |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
| Branch | British Army |
| Service years | 1744–1787 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Unit | 79th Regiment of Foot |
| Conflicts | |
Lieutenant-General Sir William Draper KB (1721 – 8 January 1787) was a British Army officer who led the expedition which captured Manila in 1762 during the Seven Years' War. Later during the American War of Independence he played a more controversial role in the spirited but unsuccessful defence of Menorca as the island's second in command to James Murray. Draper took a keen interest in the early sport of cricket in England and played a role in the 1774 meeting which agreed on an early set of cricket rules including the leg before wicket rule.