GAGE, THOMAS (1721-1787), British general and gov ernor of Massachusetts, second son of the first Viscount Gage, entered the army in 1i41 and saw service in Flanders and in the campaign of Culloden, becoming lieutenant-colonel in the 44th foot in March 1751. In 1754 he served in America, and he took part in the following year in General Braddock's disastrous expe dition. In 1758 he became colonel of a new regiment and served in Amherst's operations against Montreal. He was made gover nor of Montreal, and promoted major-general in 1761, and in 1763 succeeded Amherst in the command of the British forces in America; in 1770 he was made a lieutenant-general. In he was appointed governor of Massachusetts, and in that capacity was entrusted with carrying into effect the Boston Port Act. The difficulties which surrounded him in the execution of his office at this time of the gravest unrest culminated in 1775, and the action of April 19 at Lexington initiated the American War of Independence. After the battle of Bunker Hill, Gage was super seded by Howe, and returned to England. He became general in 1782, and died on April 2, 1787.