Soldier and abolitionist. Born on the island of Lismore (Argyll & Bute), the son of the parish minister, Macaulay joined the army of the East India Company and eventually rose to become a Lieutenant-General in the Indian Army. He was captured by Haidar Ali at Seringapatam (1780) along with Sir David Baird (1757 - 1829) and held prisoner for four years. He returned as part of the force which besieged and captured the city in 1799. Here he served alongside Colonel Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, who became a friend.
On his return to Britain, Macaulay served as Member of Parliament for Saltash (1828-30). He worked with his younger brother, Zachary Macaulay (1768 - 1838), against slavery and accompanied the Duke of Wellington to the Congress of Verona in 1822, where was involved in proposals submitted there for the complete abolition of the Slave Trade.
Macaulay died at Clifton (England).
