WOLFE, James, British soldier, born in Westerham, Kent, England, 2 January, 1727; died near Quebec, Canada, 13 September, 1759. He was a son of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Wolfe, an officer distinguished for skill and bravery in Marlborough's campaigns. James was educated at Greenwich. His military life began early, and with such unmistakable evidences of great ability that at the age of sixteen he served as adjutant of his regiment in the campaign of Dettingen. In the suppression of the Scottish rebellion of 1745 he served as major and deputy quartermaster general, while his father was a major-general, commanding a division. He was engaged in the Netherlands in 1747-'8 on garrison duty in Scot in 1748-'53, and in England in 1753-'7. 

In 1758 he had reached the grade of brigadier-general, and commanded one of General Jeffrey Amherst's divisions at the siege of Louisburg, where he was distinguished for his gallantry. The next year he was promoted major-general, and placed by William Pitt in command of the expedition against Quebec. In the latter part of June, 1759, he arrived before that city with a force of 8,000 men, supported by a powerful fleet, and, after erecting batteries at Point Levi and the isle of Orleans, he opened fire on the enemy's defenses, which had been greatly strengthened by the French commander-in-chief. The large ships of war being unable to co-operate by reason of their draught, he next took position near the mouth of Montmorency river and made a bold attack on the French works, which was repelled with loss. Various other plans were now proposed by Wolfe, but rejected by his officers. Sir Jeffrey Amherst failed to co-operate as had been promised, and the approach of winter necessitated the speedy departure of the fleet. Wolfe sent many desponding messages to Pitt, and the appointment of the young general to the command was severely criticized in England. 

As a final plan, Wolfe transferred his troops to a point several miles above the city. While reconnoitering the precipitous bluffs called the Heights of Abraham, on the north shore of the river, he detected the cove that is now called by his name, about two miles from Quebec, whence a narrow path wound up the cliff. Determining to surprise the French by this difficult route, he spent a day and a night in preparation, and at one o'clock on the morning of 13 September embarked about 5,000 men in boats, which dropped noiselessly down the river to the landing-plate. By sunrise the entire force had completed the ascent, and soon after ten o'clock they confronted the French force, which was superior in numbers but composed chiefly of undisciplined provincials. After an hour's cannonade Montcalm attacked impetuously, but his men were driven back in confusion, and Wolfe, pressing to the front, ordered the Louisburg grenadiers to charge the enemy. While cheering on his men, he received two wounds, the second of which ended his life, but not until he was assured of the defeat of the French. Five days later Quebec surrendered, and the English became masters of Canada.

Wolfe's remains were carried to England, where a monument was erected to him in Westminster Abbey. The Massachusetts assembly also voted a marble statue of him. A small column marks the spot where he fell, and an obelisk sixty feet in height, has been placed in the government gardens at Quebec in his honor and that of his enemy Montcalm, who fell in the same battle. See Robert Wright's "Life of James Wolfe " (London, 1864), and Francis Parkman's " Montcalm and Wolfe " (Boston, 1885).