All,
Thought I'd kick this out to the group. I'm looking for some new characters to insert into my TL's and amateur novels and I often use this forum to test the feasibility of my ideas.
I like to add in some "Forgotten" personnel whom, for one reason or another, died young or were cast aside from potential powerful posts where they might have made a difference in history. Their "blank slates" allow a freedom to design their characters.
General timeframe is them reaching adulthood from 1750 (leadup to 7 Years War) to 1850 (leadup to American Civil War), with a concentration on western history (Europe and the Americas).
Any ideas?
Here are some examples, many I've used in my TL's/Novels:
Comte de Gisors (only son of the French General Duc de Belleville) - died young in 7 Years War, I have him as a major character in my amateur Revolutionary War novels.
George Howe (excellent young British officer, killed at Ticonderoga) - I've wanted to add this character several times but I have yet to do so.
10th Viscount Clare, 10th Earl Thormond (Jacobite Peerage) - Scion of exiled Wild Geese in France, died of "natural causes" at 17 just prior to American Revolutionary War. I'm adding him to my current novels as a Lafayette contemporary serving the French in India.
John Andre - Executed British officer in American Revolutionary War (espionage)
Nathan Hale - Executed American officer in American Revolutionary War (espionage)
Francis Pearson - British soldier - Battle of Jersey
Stephen Decatur - American War of 1812 Captain killed young in duel
Zebulon Pike - American explorer - I used him in one of my TL's when he became President in the 1830's.
Francis Dade -American Soldier
Several potential Kings whom died young before they could ascend - includes Louis XVI's elder brothers, the Duke of Kent (Victoria's father), etc.
The key is that they be young, talented and taken before they could make their mark on history.
I always like interesting personalities as well: Aaron Burr, Ben Franklin, William Pitt the Elder, Robert Clive, Lafayette, John Wilkes, Tippoo Sultan, etc, whom make good characters.
Thanks for any ideas.