Dictionary of Indian Biography/Clavering, Sir John

CLAVERING, SIR JOHN (1722–1777)

Son of Sir James Clavering : born in 1722 : entered the Guards, was Brig- General in the attack on Guadaloupe in 1759 : Horace Walpole wrote "Clavering was the real hero of Guadaloupe. He has come home covered with more laurels than a boar's head"; he was sent to Hesse-Cassel in 1760 : became Lt-General in 1770 : in 1774 went to India : C. in C. in India and one of the four Members of the Supreme Council under the Regulating Act of 1773 : lived at Calcutta in Mission Row : he, Francis, and Monson opposed Warren Hastings and Barwell in the Supreme Council. He was made K.B. on Nov. 9, 1776 : he fought, in April, 1775, a duel with Barwell : he supported Nuncomar in his charges against Warren Hastings. When Warren Hastings' resignation was tendered by his agent in England—but repudiated in India by Hastings—Clavering claimed to be Governor-General, but his claim was rejected by the Supreme Court. Clavering died Aug. 30, 1777.