John Burgoyne (1722-1792) was an officer in the British army, and first fought during the Seven Years’ War. In 1776, During the American Revolutionary War, he was given command of the British forces with the task of crossing Lake Champlain from Quebec to capture Fort Ticonderoga. He expected support from other British forces under General William Howe and General Henry Clinton, but this was not forthcoming. Burgoyne was over-confident, and although he was successful in capturing Fort Ticonderoga, he found himself surrounded at Saratoga, and surrendered his entire army of 6,200 men on 17 October 1777. This proved to be a turning-point in the war, since the defeat encouraged France to enter the war on the side of the Americans. Burgoyne returned to Britain in disgrace.