BAIRD, SIR DAVID British general, born at Newbyth, East Lothian, Scotland, entered the army in 1773, and went out to India as a captain in the 73rd (afterwards 71st) Highlanders in 1779. In the defeat of Col. Baillie's force by Hyder Ali, Baird was taken prisoner, and remained a prisoner for four years. After a short interval at home he returned to India in 1791 and took part in the campaign against Tippoo. After serving at the Cape of Good Hope he returned to India, and took part in the last war against Tippoo. Maj.-Gen. Baird stormed Seringapatam and became master of the place where he had so long been a prisoner. He was bitterly disappointed when the command of the place was given to Sir A. Wellesley (after wards duke of Wellington), and resigned his command. His next campaigns were at the Cape of Good Hope (18o5—o6), and Copenhagen (1807) . He was second in command at the battle of Corunna (18o8), and became commander-in-chief when Moore fell, but was wounded and superseded by Sir John Hope. He received the thanks of parliament, a K.B. and a baronetcy for his services, but, because of various political and personal en mities, was repeatedly passed over, and received no further com mand in the field, though he was promoted full general in 1814. He was commander-in-chief in Ireland from 1820 to 1822, and died on Aug. IS 18 29.
See Lives by Theodore Hook (1832), and W. H. Wilkin (1914)•