Many military leaders in the American Revolutionary War played a important role. The following list is a collection of some of the most important leaders among all of the many participants in the war. The following individuald has satisfied one of the following criteria:

1. was a nation's top civilian responsible for directing military affairs
2. held a commission of at least major general or rear admiral in an organized military during the conflict
3. was the highest ranking member of a given nation's force that participated in the conflict (if that rank was not at least major general)
4. was the highest ranking member of a given state/colonial militia
5. was a provincial or territorial governor who is documented to have directed a military action
6. was a Native American tribal leader who is documented to have had a leadership position in a military action

Some individuals held more than one position in more than one organization; some Continental Army generals also held high-ranking positions in their state militia or state government.

Includes Government, Militia, Frontier leaders, Army and Navy Officers and Foreign Commanders

includes Government officials, Secretaries at War, Commander-in-Chiefs, Lieutenant and Major Generals, Royal governors, Frontier leaders, Foreign Commanders and Native American Allies

• King George III
• Gen. Thomas Gage
• Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne
• Maj. Gen. Guy Carleton
• Gen. Sir Henry Clinton
• Gen. Charles Cornwallis
• Gen. Sir William Howe
• Gen. Francis Rawdon-Hastings
• Gen. Sir Banastre Tarleton
• Maj. Gen. James Grant
• Maj. Gen. Charles Gray
• Brig. Gen. Charles O’Hara
• Gen. Charles Preston
• Brig. Gen. Simon Fraser
• Brig. Gen. Baron von Riedesel
• Gen Sir Robert Pigot
• Gen. Richard Prescott
• Lt Col. Mark Prevost
• Gen. John Campbell
• Adm. Richard Howe
• Chief Joseph Brant (Indian)
• Gov. William Tyron