Admiral Thomas Graves, 1st Baron Graves, KB (23 October 1725 – 9 February 1802) was a Royal Navy officer, politician and colonial administrator who served in the Seven Years' War and American War of Independence. He also served as the Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland from 1761 to 1764.

Military career

Born in England in October 1725, Graves was the second son of Rear-Admiral Thomas Graves of Thanckes in Cornwall.

Graves' first military experience was as a volunteer with Commodore Henry Medley's crew around 1740. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1743, and captain in 1755. In the first year of the Seven Years' War, Graves failed to confront a French ship which gave challenge. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Blue in September 1787.

During the French Revolutionary Wars, Graves was second in command to Admiral Richard Howe at the Glorious First of June on 1 June 1794, suffering a severe injury to his right arm. Following the battle, Graves was elevated to the Irish peerage as Baron Graves of Gravesend in County Londonderry. However, his wound led to the end of Graves' active career and he retired to estate in Devon. Graves was promoted to admiral in 1795.

Personal life

Lord Graves married Elizabeth, daughter of William Peere Williams, in 1771. The couple had a son, Thomas, in 1775. Following several battle injuries, Graves retired to his Devon estate in 1794, and died in February 1802, aged 76.

Arms

See also

  • Governors of Newfoundland
  • List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador

Notes

References

  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
  • Biography at Government House The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador

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