Sumter, Thomas

(born Aug. 14, 1734, Hanover county, Va.—died June 1, 1832, South Mount, S.C., U.S.) American Revolutionary officer. He served in the French and Indian War and later moved to South Carolina. In the American Revolution he was commissioned a brigadier general and escaped to North Carolina after the fall of Charleston (1780). He led the state militia to victories over the British in several engagements. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1789–93, 1797–1801) and the Senate (1801–10). Fort Sumter was named for him (see Fort Sumter National Monument).

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica