BROCK, Sir ISAAC (1769-1812). An English soldier, known as the 'Hero of Upper Canada.' He was born on the island of Guernsey, entered the British Army as an ensign at the age of 15, and rapidly rose by purchase, in accordance with the custom of the time. to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Ile commanded his regiment in the expedition to North Holland in 1799, partici pating in the battle of Egmont-op-Zee, and sub sequently, on board the fleet of Parker and Nelson, in the naval battle of Copenhagen. He served in Canada from 1802 to 1805, when lie went to England on leave: but returned in 1806, on account of the threatened hostilities between England and the United States, and commanded for a time at Quebec. In 1810 he was placed in command of all troops in Upper Canada, and in addition was soon afterwards appointed pro visional Lieutenant-Governor of the province. In 1811 he was raised to the rank of major-general. Upon the outbreak of the War of 1812 he made energetic preparations to repel the threatened invasion of Canada by an American force under Gen. William 111111, and on Augnst 16. 1812, cap tured Detroit, Hull surrendering, against the remonstrances of his officers. without offering
any substantial resistance. (See HULL, WIL LIAM.) For this success Brock was made an extra. Knight of the Bath. On October 13. dur ing the American attack upon Queenstown, he fell mortally wounded at the head of his troops, his last words being, "Never mind me; push on the York Volunteers." Soon after his death a public monument was erected in Saint Paul's. London, with money appropriated by the House of Commons. Brock was buried in one of the bastions of Fort George. but in 1824 his remains were removed to Queenstown Heights, where a monument costing £3000 had been erected by order of the Provincial Legislature. This monu ment was destroyed by a•fanatie in 1840; and in July. 1841. a mass-meeting, attended by more than 8000 people, and presided over by the Lieutenant-Go•ernor of Upper Canada, was held on the Heights, and the sum of £5000 was voted for the erecting of a new memorial. The present monument is a tall shaft surmounted by a statue of Brock. Consult Tupper, Life and Corre spondence of Sir Isaac Brock (London and Guernsey, 1845; 2d edition, much enlarged, 1547).