Major Patrick Ferguson was a Scottish officer in the British Army, an early advocate of light infantry, and the designer of the innovative Ferguson rifle. He served with distinction in the Seven Years' War and later became a prominent figure during the American Revolutionary War. His breech-loading rifle, patented in 1776, was one of the first of its kind adopted by a military force, allowing for faster reloading and accuracy. Ferguson's career was cut short when he was killed in action while leading Loyalist forces at the decisive Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780.