George Brydges Rodney

Admiral George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB (1718 – 24 May 1792) was a Royal Navy officer, politician and colonial administrator. He is best known for his service in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782. It has often been claimed that Rodney pioneered the tactic of breaking the line, though this is disputed.

Rodney went to sea at the age of 14, with his first major action being the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre in 1747. He made a large amount of prize money during the 1740s, allowing him to purchase a large country estate and a seat in the British House of Commons. During the Seven Years’ War, Rodney was involved in a number of amphibious operations such as the Rochefort and Le Havre raids and capture of Louisbourg. He became well known for his role in the capture of Martinique in 1762. Following the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Rodney’s financial situation stagnated. He spent large sums of money pursuing his political ambitions, and by 1774 had run up large debts and was forced to flee Britain to avoid his creditors. He was in a French jail when war broke out between Britain and France in 1778. Thanks to a French benefactor, Rodney was able to secure his release and return to Britain where he was appointed to a new command.

Rodney successfully relieved Gibraltar during the Franco-Spanish siege and defeated a Spanish fleet at the 1780 Battle of Cape St. Vincent. He then was posted to the Jamaica Station, where he led the capture of Sint Eustatius of 1781. Later that year, Rodney briefly returned home as he suffering from ill health. Orders for his recall had been sent when Rodney won a decisive victory at the Battle of the Saintes in April 1782, ending Franco-Spanish plans to invade Jamaica. On his return to Britain, Rodney was made a peer and was awarded an annual pension of £2,000. He lived in retirement until his death in 1792.