The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

GEORGE RODNEY

George Brydges Rodney (first earl of Rodney) was an English admiral.. He was born in 1719 at London and died in 1792. Entering the navy when he was fourteen, George Rodney achieved the rank of captain in 1742. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Ushant in 1747 and subsequently served on the North American station. In 1759 he was promoted to flag rank and bombarded Havre. In 1761 he captured Martinique, Santa Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent. He was made a baronet in 1764. Retiring from the navy he was made governor of Greenwich Hospital, but handicapped by the poverty of retirement was reappointed to the navy and defeated the Spanish fleet off Cape St Vincent in 1780.
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