Born in London on February 4, 1722, Burgoyne entered the Westminster School in 1733. He began his military career at age fifteen as a sub-brigadier in the 3rd Troop of Horse Guards. By 1747, he was a captain in the 1st Royal Dragoons. In 1743, Burgoyne eloped with Lady Charlotte Stanley, daughter of the Earl of Derby. After thirteen years, Lord Derby finally reconciled himself to his daughter's choice and became Burgoyne's staunch friend and patron.

An advocate of light cavalry, Burgoyne received authorization in 1759 to raise the 16th Light Dragoons. Elected to Parliament in 1761, Lieutenant Colonel Burgoyne accompanied his regiment to Portugal the following year. There he won a brilliant victory against Spanish forces toward the end of the Seven Years' War. England treated Burgoyne to a hero's welcome and promotion to brigadier general. Upgraded to major general in 1772, Burgoyne reported to Boston after the American Revolution broke out three years later. In the spring of 1776, he headed an expedition sent to raise the siege of Quebec, and he served out the ensuing campaign season as Sir Guy Carleton's second-in-command in Canada.

Burgoyne was back in England by December 1776 to lobby for an independent command. In the latter half of March 1777, the British government put him in charge of Carleton's army with orders to invade upstate New York and effect a junction with Sir William Howe's larger British army in New York City. Burgoyne's campaign got off to a promising start in June 1777, winning him promotion to lieutenant general. Rough terrain and logistical problems soon slowed Burgoyne's progress, however, giving the Patriots the time necessary to assemble an army large enough to trap him at Saratoga, where he surrendered on October 17.

Upon his return home, Burgoyne reentered politics, but he enjoyed his greatest success in the theater. He died on August 4, 1792, and is buried at Westminster Abbey.

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