Tarleton was born in August of 1754 in Liverpool, England to middle class parents. His father, John Tarleton, was a merchant. His father additionally was largely involved in the slave trade, along with his siblings. 12 He went to school at Oxford and started his career in the army by sailing as a volunteer with Cornwallis. He was well known specifically for his work in the Southern Campaign, and he was known as being aggressive and cruel.  His nickname was "Bloody Ban" and he caused many problems in personal relationships because of his behavior. He is described as largely feared. He lived with an actress named Mary Robinson and never had any children.9. Banastre's life at home is undoubtedly connected to his horrible treatment of people and lack of showing mercy during the war. He seems to have a great deal of pride in his country as well as his family, and his deep feelings of pride are brought out in his harsh leadership styles. Clearly, he grew up in a family where the men partook in activities that showcased lots of violence, and his family often bailed him out of his mistakes and let him do as he pleased. Because of this, he felt he was able to do as he pleased on the battlefield and in war, even without proper military education. Tarleton's joining of the military after spending loads of money is interesting, because it shows that his reasons for being in the army may not even be related to a want to fight for his country. Maybe it was more due to the deep-rooted issues that he had, such as a lack of empathy or care for others, and violence that he craved. It seems as if this was a game for him, similar to gambling, where he spent all his money.