Marcus Rainsford (c. 1750–1805)

Author and army officer. Fought in the American War of Independence; in the Netherlands, 1794; later helped to raise black troops in the West Indies. Visited Santo Domingo, 1799; was arrested and condemned to death as a spy, but later reprieved and set free. Wrote and published an account of the incident in 1802. Retired as captain, 1803. Published several poems, including a eulogy of Erasmus Darwin (1731–1802).