The wisdom of the 1995 Ministry of Defence decision to 'suspend' the rank of
Admiral of the Fleet may be debatable but what is more certain it that if
brought to an end an institution that had spanned over three centuries.
Over that period no more than 115 individuals attained the highest rank that
the Royal Navy had to offer. The list begins with Sir John Norris and ends with
Sir Benjamin Bathurst. The careers of this highly select yet diverse group make
for fascinating reading. Each played his part in the Royal Navy's role as
protector of British interests at home and across the world.
As might be expected, many who help this rang are well known but a surprising
number are not. Thanks to the Dr Heathcote's scholarship, here for the first
time is the definitive biographical dictionary. Readers can expect a lively
narrative packed with fact and anecdotes. Each entry not only describes the
subject's naval achievements, place in their historical and political context,
but also his background and character, for good or ill. A number could surely
have inspired legendary fictional characters such as Hornblower and Ramage.
More than a unique work of reference, 'The British Admirals of the Fleet'
will be an indispensable companion to all those with an interest in British
naval history or anyone who is related to any one of the Admirals mentioned.
Contents:
Foreword
Preface and Acknowledgements
Introduction
Note on the Rating of Sailing Warships
The Biographies of the Admirals of the Fleet
- Alfred Ernest Albert, HRH Duke of Edinburgh, HSH Duke of Saxe-Coburg and
Gotha (1844-1900)
- Anson, George, Lord Anson (1697-1762)
- Ashmore, Sir Edward (1919- )
- Austen, Sir Francis (1774-1863)
- Backhouse, Sir Roger (1879-1939)
- Bathurst, Sir Benjamin (1936- )
- Beatty, Sir David, Earl Beatty (1871-1936)
- Begg, Sir Varyl (1908-1995)
- Bowles, Sir William (1780-1869)
- Boyle, Sir William, Earl of Cork and Orrery (1873-1967)
- Brock, Sir Osmond de Beauvoir (1869-1947)
- Burnley, Sir Cecil (1858-1929)
- Callaghan, Sir George (1852-1920)
- Chatfield, Sir Ernle, Lord Chatfield (1873-1967)
- Clinton, the Honourable George (1686-1761)
- Cochrane, Sir Thomas (1789-1872)
- Cockburn, the Right Honourable Sir George (1772-1853)
- Codrington, Sir Henry (1808-1877)
- Commerell, Sir John (1829-1901)
- Creasey, Sir George (1895-1972)
- Cunningham, Sir John (1885-1962)
- Curtis, Sir Lucius (1786-1869)
- De Robeck, Sir John (1862-1928)
- Edward VII, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland (1841-1910)
- Edward VIII, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland, HRH Duke of Windsor
(1894-1972)
- Elliot, the Honourable Sir Charles (1818-1895)
- Erskine, Sir James (1838-1911)
- Fanshawe, Sir Arthur (1847-1936)
- Field, Sir Frederick (1871-1945)
- Fieldhouse, Sir John, Lord Fieldhouse (1928-1992)
- Fisher, Sir John, Lord Fisher of Kilverstone (1841-1920)
- Forbes, the Honourable John (1714-1796)
- Fraser, Sir Bruce, Lord Fraser of North Cape (1888-1981)
- Freeman, William (1742-1832)
- Gage, Sir William (1777-1864)
- Gambier, James, Lord Gambier (1756-1833)
- George V, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland (1865-1936)
- George VI, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland (1895-1952)
- Gordon, Sir James (1782-1869)
- Gough-Calthorpe, the Honourable Sir Somerset (1864-1937)
- Hamond, Sir Graham (1779-1862)
- Hawke, Sir Edward, Lord Hawke (1705-1781)
- Hay, the Right Honourable Lord John (1827-1916)
- Henry (Heinrich) of Prussia, HRH Prince (1862-1929)
- Hill-Norton, Sir Peter, Lord Hill-Norton (1915- )
- Hope, Sir James (1808-1881)
- Hornby, Sir Geoffrey (1825-1895)
- Hotham, Sir Charles (1843-1925)
- Howe, Sir Richard, Earl Howe (1726-1799)
- Jackson, Sir Henry (1855-1929)
- Jellicoe, Sir John, Earl Jellicoe (1859-1935)
- Jervis, Sir John, Earl of St Vincent (1735-1823)
- John, Sir Caspar (1903-1984)
- Kelly, Sir John (1871-1936)
- Keppel, Sir Henry (1809-1904)
- Kerr, the Right Honourable Lord Walter (1839-1927)
- Keyes, Sir Roger, Lord Keyes (1872-1945)
- Lambe, Sir Charles (1900-1960)
- Leach, Sir Henry (1923- )
- Le Fanu, Sir Michael (1913-1970)
- Lewin, Sir Terence, Lord Lewin (1920-1999)
- Lyons, Sir Algernon (1833-1908)
- McGregor, Sir Rhoderick (1893-1959)
- Madden, Sir Charles (1862-1935)
- Martin, Sir George (1764-1847)
- Martin, Sir Thomas (1773-1854)
- May, Sir Henry (1849-1930)
- Meade, the Right Honourable Richard, Earl of Clanwilliam (1832-1907)
- Meux, the Honourable Sir Hedworth (1856-1929)
- Milne, Sir Alexander (1806-1896)
- Moresby, Sir Fairfax (1786-1877)
- Mountbatten, Louis Alexander, HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg, Marquess
of Milford Haven (1854-1921)
- Mountbatten, Lord Louis, Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900-1979)
- Mundy, Sir George (1805-1884)
- Nicholas II, HIM Emperor of Russia (1868-1918)
- Noel, Sir Gerard (1845-1918)
- Norris, Sir John (1660-1749)
- Nugent, Sir Charles (1759-1844)
- Ogle, Sir Chaloner (1681-1750)
- Ogle, Sir Charles (1775-1858)
- Oliver, Sir Henry (1865-1965)
- Oswald, Sir Julian (1933- )
- Parker, Sir Peter, (1721-1811)
- Parker, Sir William (1781-1866)
- Philip, HRH Duke of Edinburgh (1921- )
- Pole, Sir Charles (1757-1830)
- Pollock, Sir Michael (1916- )
- Pound, Sir Dudley (1877-1943)
- Power, Sir Arthur (1889-1960)
- Richards, Sir Frederick (1833-1912)
- Rowley, Sir William (1690-1768)
- Ryder, Sir Alfred (1820-1888)
- Salmon, Sir Nowell (1835-1912)
- Sartorius, Sir George (1790-1885)
- Seymour, Sir Edward (1840-1929)
- Seymour, Sir George (1787-1870)
- Somerville, Sir James (1882-1949)
- Staveley, Sir William (1928-1997)
- Steuart, James (1690-1757)
- Stewart, Sir Houston (1791-1875)
- Sturdee, Sir Doveton (1859-1925)
- Symonds, Sir Thomas (1813-1894)
- Tovey, Sir John, Lord Tovey (1885-1971)
- Tyrwhitt, Sir Reginald (1870-1951)
- Vian, Sir Philip (1894-1968)
- Wallis, Sir Provo (1791-1892)
- Wemyss, Sir Rosslyn, Lord Wester Wemyss (1864-1933)
- West, Sir John (1774-1862)
- Whitshed, Sir James (1761-1849)
- William IV, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland, King of Hanover
(1765-1837)
- William (Wilhelm) II, HM German Emperor and King of Prussia (1859-1941)
- Willis, Sir Algernon (1889-1976)
- Wilson, Sir Arthur (1842-1921)
Tables
Bibliography
Index
