Colin Macaulay (13 April 1760 – 20 February 1836), was a Scottish general, biblical scholar and key activist in the campaign to abolish slavery. Early life Macaulay was a son of the Rev. John Macaulay (1720–1789), minister in the Church of Scotland, grandson of Dòmhnall Cam. and his mother was Margaret Campbell. He had eleven brothers and sisters, including Zachary Macaulay, one of the prime movers in the Abolition of Slavery campaign throughout the British Empire, as well as the Governor of Sierra Leone (a British settlement for freed slaves from America). Another brother was the Rev. Aulay Macaulay, scholar and antiquary. Whilst much has been written of the early life of his brothers, little is known about Colin's upbringing. However, his education must have been formative as he became in later life a distinguished linguist with extensive knowledge of classical and modern languages, history and literature, and he wrote with a polished style. It is possible that he studied at the Parish School in Inverary and later at Cardross. East India Company Army Macaulay was enrolled as a Cadet in the East India Army at India House on 11 February 1777, not quite aged seventeen. He embarked for India a year later on 27 April 1778 and eventually served in India for over thirty years. Early Campaigns He was twice on the scene at Seringapatam, the headquarters of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Firstly, during the Second Mysore War, he was captured and held prisoner at Seringapatam for almost 3 and a half years (1780-1784) along with Sir David Baird and several other British officers. Incidentally this did not stop his promotion to Lieutenant on 10 March 1782 or his appointment on the same date as aide-de-camp to Major-General William Medows, Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army - a position he retained for at least ten years. He also played a key role in the Fourth Mysore War and at its successful conclusion; the Siege of Seringapatam (1799). This success established Britain's position in southern India. He regulated and arranged the supplies for the army, and with a fellow officer identified a secure southern route for one of the forces (led by General George Harris) in their final approach. For this service he was subsequently recognized in a special General Orders issued by the Governor-General, and awarded the Seringapatam Gold Medal. During this campaign he was also secretary to a