James Towers English (22 February 1782 – 26 September 1819) was an Anglo-Irish commander of British Legions forces in the Spanish American wars of independence.
He fought with distinction at the battle of Ortiz on 26 March 1818, and was promoted to full colonel and appointed second-in-command of the British Guard of Honor led by James Rooke.
[2] In May 1818, he signed a contract with the Patriot government to recruit and equip a British force of 1,000 men, in return for which he was promised £50 per head and a General's commission.
On August 7 1819 Urdaneta's army attempted to storm Maturín but failed after grievous losses in their assault against Fort Agua Santa, while General English remained in the rear pleading sickness.
English retired to Margarita Island where he died of illness on 26 September 1819 and is buried in a cemetery overlooking Juan Griego Bay.