Founder of Georgia, Founder of Savannah, Georgia. James Oglethorpe gained a place in American history by fulfilling his dream of founding a British colony in the New World. Born the last of ten children, his family resided at Westbrook Manor, while his father owned other properties nearby. In 1714, he was admitted to Corpus Christi College at Oxford University and later attended a military academy in France. His first military assignment was an aide to Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was a field marshal during the Austro-Turkish War. After returning to England, he was readmitted to Corpus Christi College but did not graduate, instead awarded a special M.A. in 1731. Following the death of a close colleague in the debtor's prison, he planned to take the "worthy" of the debtor's prison to America to settle a new colony. He took 114 men, women, and children. Eventually, he permitted Jews and German Protestants to settle in the colony. After landing at Yamacraw Bluff along the Savannah River in 1733, he named the area Georgia in honor of King George II. He laid out the plans for 24 public squares for the city of Savannah, considered by historians as being the first "planned city" in what would become the United States. The historical city squares from his original plans still exist today. He is also called the "Father of Savannah," and although he was never elected to the office, most consider him the first governor of Georgia. With his military background, he founded a local militia. In 1742, he successfully defended the colony against the Spaniards in the Battle of Bloody Marsh and made a failed attempt to capture the Spanish fort at St. Augustine. He received the British rank of Brigadier General. Like his father and two of his brothers, he served as a Member of the House of Commons in London, serving from 1722 to 1754. He left Georgia for the final time in 1743. He married the wealthy Elizabeth Wright, and the couple was childless. By 1750, he was no longer involved with the politics of the Colony of Georgia. Ending his military career, he served in the Seven Years' War for a short time. After a short illness, he died in 1785 in Cranham Hall, County Essex, England, and is buried in a vault beneath the chancel floor at the Parish Church of All Saints. His wife was buried with him after her death two years later.