Swiss by birth, Frederick Haldimand became an officer in the British army and an important colonial administrator in North America. Haldimand began his military career in Prussia's army and saw fighting in the War of Austrian Succession (1740-48). During the French and Indian War (1754-63), Haldimand took advantage of a unique opportunity by joining the British army as a German-speaking officer of the Royal Americans, a German-American regiment recruited from Pennsylvania and Europe. He became a lieutenant colonel in 1756, participated in General James Abercromby's ill-fated expedition against Fort Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga) in 1758, and organized the defense of Oswego in 1759. Fluent in French, he served as liaison officer to French officials leading up to the surrender of Canada to the British.

After the war, Haldimand began his administrative career, despite some obstacles because of his non-British birth. He held minor positions in Canada from 1763 to 1765, when he was dismissed and headed for Europe. The death of a superior officer changed his plans, and in 1767 he was promoted to brigadier general and placed in charge of the military in the southern district. He remained in this position in Florida until 1773, when he was called to New York to become acting commander in chief of the British army in North America, having been promoted to major general in 1772. He became second in command when General Thomas Gage returned to North America in 1774 but was superseded in 1775 after Generals William Howe, George Clinton, and John Burgoyne arrived in Boston. The British government informed Haldimand that as a foreigner his services were no longer needed, and he was given leave to sail to England.

For the second time Haldimand's career seemed to be over. However, when he arrived in Great Britain, he found that all of his hard work had gained him the appreciation of King George III and his ministers. When Sir Guy Carleton resigned as governor-general of Quebec, the king appointed Haldimand to replace him. Haldimand did not arrive in Quebec until June 1778, and as a wartime governor and military commander, he faced a daunting task of defending a huge territory with limited resources. He not only managed successfully to defend Canada, but at the end of the conflict he refused to surrender the frontier forts that remained in the new territory of the United States--an important bargaining chip that would not be given up until Jay's Treaty (1794). He also strove to appease native allies who felt betrayed by the Treaty of Paris (1783) and established settlements for thousands of displaced Loyalists.

In 1782 the British government informed Haldimand that he would be replaced because of his foreign birth. Always the good soldier and administrator, he continued in office until he left North America in 1784. Despite earlier plans, he officially remained governor until 1786, when he was replaced by Carleton, now elevated to Lord Dorchester. Haldimand was knighted in 1785 and lived in comfortable retirement until his death in Switzerland on June 5, 1791.

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