Jacob Richards

Jacob Richards (–1701) was an Irish officer of the English Army, He is noted for his innovations and influence on the development of British Artillery. Elements of his career are sometimes confused with his identically named father Jacob Richards. His two younger brothers Michael Richards and John Richards were both noted artillery officers. Background Richards was born in Ireland, and partly grew up on the family's estates in County Wexford which had been granted to his grandfather Solomon Richards during the Cromwellian era. He had two brothers Michael Richards and John Richards who also pursued army careers. A sister, Elizabeth, married the politician James Craggs. The family were Protestants, although John converted to Catholicism. Siege of Buda Having apparently been part of the Tangier Garrison, Richards joined the English ordnance during the 1680s. In order to improve his knowledge of artillery he was sent in 1685 to Vienna to serve with the Imperial forces then taking part in the Great Turkish War. As a staff officer to General Taffe, he saw action at the Siege of Buda in 1686. He returned to England and was sent to Hull to supervise the defence of the River Humber against potential foreign invasion. During the Glorious Revolution of 1688 he was part of James II's Army that assembled on Salisbury Plain, but switched his support to William of Orange.