This painting depicts the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

Sir Amédée Forestier, The Signing of the Treaty of Ghent, Christmas Eve, 1814, 1914, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sulgrave Institution of the U.S. and Great Britain.

War of 1812 Leaders

Learn more about the American and British leaders who defined the War of 1812 era.

John Parker Boyd

Many readers of history often perceive the successes of great individuals and visionaries as having the most impact on human events, but that is...

James Lawrence

Many noted figures from the War of 1812 either had relatives that served in or were themselves involved with, the War for Independence. Not so with...

Henry Dearborn

Born in the New Hampshire Colony to one of the oldest families in New England, Henry Dearborn grew up privileged, well-educated and was beginning a...

James Yeo

Plagued by ill-health since childhood and frequently contracting various tropical diseases, James Lucas Yeo nevertheless served one of the most daring...

Roger Hale Sheaffe

Sheaffe was born in Boston to Loyalist parents, and educated at Harvard. In 1778, he secured a commission in the 5th Regiment of Foot. He first saw...

Charles de Salaberry

Charles de Salaberry’s family history contained generations of esteemed military service. Ironically, most of that service was under the Kingdom of...