List of Lords High Admirals and First Lords of the Admiralty
Encyclopedia
This is a List of Lord High Admirals and First Lords of the Admiralty of England
, Great Britain
and then the United Kingdom
. Most of them were courtiers or politicians, not professional naval officers. The Lord High Admiral was one of the nine Great Officers of State in medieval England.
The office of Lord High Admiral
, when it was not occupied by an individual, was "put into commission" and exercised by a board of Lords Commissioners headed by a First Lord of the Admiralty. This became the usual state of affairs.
In 1964, the office of First Lord of the Admiralty was abolished and the functions of the commissioners were transferred to the Admiralty Board of a tri-service Defence Council
, and the title of Lord High Admiral was re-vested in the Sovereign
. In 2011, the title was bestowed by The Queen
on her consort The Duke of Edinburgh
on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and then the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Most of them were courtiers or politicians, not professional naval officers. The Lord High Admiral was one of the nine Great Officers of State in medieval England.
The office of Lord High Admiral
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
, when it was not occupied by an individual, was "put into commission" and exercised by a board of Lords Commissioners headed by a First Lord of the Admiralty. This became the usual state of affairs.
In 1964, the office of First Lord of the Admiralty was abolished and the functions of the commissioners were transferred to the Admiralty Board of a tri-service Defence Council
Defence Council of the United Kingdom
The Defence Council of the United Kingdom is the body legally entrusted with the defence of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories and with control over the British armed forces, and is part of the Ministry of Defence.-Functions:...
, and the title of Lord High Admiral was re-vested in the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
. In 2011, the title was bestowed by The Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
on her consort The Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
Lord High Admirals of England, 1413–1628
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
The Duke of Exeter Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter Thomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter, KG was an English military commander during the Hundred Years' War, and briefly Chancellor of England. He was the third of four children; the son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his mistress Katherine Swynford... |
1413 | 1426 |
The Duke of Bedford John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford, KG , also known as John Plantagenet, was the third surviving son of King Henry IV of England by Mary de Bohun, and acted as Regent of France for his nephew, King Henry VI.... |
1426 | 1435 |
The Duke of Exeter John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter KG was an English nobleman and military commander during the Hundred Years' War.-Family:... |
1435 | 1447 |
The Duke of Suffolk William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk, KG , nicknamed Jack Napes , was an important English soldier and commander in the Hundred Years' War, and later Lord Chamberlain of England.He also appears prominently in William Shakespeare's Henry VI, part 1 and Henry VI, part 2 and other... |
1447 | 1450 |
The Duke of Exeter Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter was a Lancastrian leader during the English Wars of the Roses. He was the only son of John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter and his first wife Lady Anne Stafford. His maternal grandparents were Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford and Anne of Gloucester.He inherited... |
1450 | 1461 |
The Earl of Kent William Neville, 1st Earl of Kent William Neville, 1st Earl of Kent KG and jure uxoris 6th Baron Fauconberg, was an English nobleman and soldier.-Early life:... |
1462 | 1462 |
The Duke of Gloucester Richard III of England Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty... |
1462 | 1470 |
The Earl of Warwick Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick Richard Neville KG, jure uxoris 16th Earl of Warwick and suo jure 6th Earl of Salisbury and 8th and 5th Baron Montacute , known as Warwick the Kingmaker, was an English nobleman, administrator, and military commander... |
1470 | 1471 |
The Duke of Gloucester Richard III of England Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty... |
1471 | 1483 |
The Duke of Norfolk John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, KG, Earl Marshal was an English nobleman, soldier, and the first Howard Duke of Norfolk... |
1483 | 1485 |
The Earl of Oxford John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford , the second son of John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford, and Elizabeth Howard, was one of the principal Lancastrian commanders during the English Wars of the Roses... |
1485 | 1513 |
Sir Edward Howard Edward Howard (admiral) Sir Edward Howard, KG , son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Surrey and his first wife, Elizabeth Tilney, and a younger brother of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. He was the first of the Howards to win fame as an admiral, participating in his first naval battle while in his teens... |
1513 | 1513 |
The Earl of Surrey Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, KG, Earl Marshal was a prominent Tudor politician. He was uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of the wives of King Henry VIII, and played a major role in the machinations behind these marriages... |
1513 | 1525 |
The Duke of Richmond and Somerset Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset was the son of King Henry VIII of England and his teenage mistress, Elizabeth Blount, the only illegitimate offspring whom Henry acknowledged.-Childhood:... |
1525 | 1536 |
The Earl of Southampton William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton William FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton, KG , English courtier, was the third son of Sir Thomas FitzWilliam of Aldwark and Lady Lucy Neville .His father died while FitzWilliam was in his infancy, and his mother remarried Sir Anthony Browne, the elder, so that... |
1536 | 1540 |
The Lord Russell John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, KG, PC, JP was an English royal minister in the Tudor era. He served variously as Lord High Admiral and Lord Privy Seal.... |
1540 | 1542 |
The Earl of Hertford Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 1st Earl of Hertford, 1st Viscount Beauchamp of Hache, KG, Earl Marshal was Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549.... |
1542 | 1543 |
The Viscount Lisle John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, KG was an English general, admiral, and politician, who led the government of the young King Edward VI from 1550 until 1553, and unsuccessfully tried to install Lady Jane Grey on the English throne after the King's death... |
1543 | 1547 |
The Lord Seymour of Sudeley Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley, KG was an English politician.Thomas spent his childhood in Wulfhall, outside Savernake Forest, in Wiltshire. Historian David Starkey describes Thomas thus: 'tall, well-built and with a dashing beard and auburn hair, he was irresistible to women'... |
1547 | 1549 |
The Earl of Warwick John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, KG was an English general, admiral, and politician, who led the government of the young King Edward VI from 1550 until 1553, and unsuccessfully tried to install Lady Jane Grey on the English throne after the King's death... |
1549 | 1550 |
The Lord Clinton Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln Edward Fiennes, 1st Earl of Lincoln, KG, also known as Edward Clinton was an English nobleman and Lord High Admiral.-Background:... |
1550 | 1554 |
The Lord Howard of Effingham William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham , was the eldest son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk by his second wife, Agnes Tilney... |
1554 | 1558 |
The Earl of Lincoln Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln Edward Fiennes, 1st Earl of Lincoln, KG, also known as Edward Clinton was an English nobleman and Lord High Admiral.-Background:... |
1558 | 1585 |
The Lord Howard of Effingham Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham , known as Howard of Effingham, was an English statesman and Lord High Admiral under Elizabeth I and James I... (Earl of Nottingham from 1596) |
1585 | 1619 |
The Duke of Buckingham George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham KG was the favourite, claimed by some to be the lover, of King James I of England. Despite a very patchy political and military record, he remained at the height of royal favour for the first two years of the reign of Charles I, until he was assassinated... |
1619 | 1628 |
Lord High Admirals and First Lords of the Admiralty of England, 1628–1708
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
The Earl of Portland Richard Weston, 1st Earl of Portland Richard Weston, 1st Earl of Portland, KG , was Chancellor of the Exchequer and later Lord Treasurer of England under James I and Charles I, being one of the most influential figures in the early years of Charles I's Personal Rule and the architect of many of the policies that enabled him to rule... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1628 | 1635 |
The Earl of Lindsey Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey was an English peer, soldier and courtier.-Early life:... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1635 | 1636 |
William Juxon, Bishop of Lincoln William Juxon William Juxon was an English churchman, Bishop of London from 1633 to 1649 and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1660 until his death.-Life:... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1636 | 1638 |
The Earl of Northumberland Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland, 4th Baron Percy, KG was an English military leader and a prominent supporter of constitutional monarchy.-Family background:... (Lord High Admiral 1638-1642; First Lord of the Admiralty 1642-1643) |
1638 | 1643 |
The Lord Cottington | 1643 | 1646 |
None | 1646 | 1660 |
The Duke of York and Albany James II of England James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland... (Lord High Admiral) |
1660 | 1673 |
King Charles II Charles II of England Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War... (Lord High Admiral) |
1673 | 1673 |
Prince Rupert (Lord High Admiral) |
1673 | 1679 |
Sir Henry Capell Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury KB, PC was a seventeenth century English politician.-Background:... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1679 | 1681 |
The Earl of Nottingham Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham, 7th Earl of Winchilsea PC , was an English Tory statesman during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.-Early life:... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1681 | 1684 |
King Charles II Charles II of England Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War... (Lord High Admiral) |
1684 | 1685 |
King James II James II of England James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland... (Lord High Admiral) |
1685 | 1688 |
King William III William III of England William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland... (Lord High Admiral) |
1689 | 1689 |
The Earl of Torrington Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington was a British admiral and politician of the late 17th and early 18th century. Cashiered as a rear-admiral by James II of England in 1688 for refusing to vote to repeal the Test Act, which prevented Catholics from holding offices, he brought the Invitation to... (Lord High Admiral 1689; First Lord of the Admiralty 1689-1690) |
1689 | 1690 |
The Earl of Pembroke Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke, 5th Earl of Montgomery, KG, PC, FRS was a British politician during the reigns of William III and Anne.... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1690 | 1692 |
The Lord Cornwallis Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis PC was a British politician who served as First Lord of the Admiralty. He succeeded his father as Baron Cornwallis in 1673... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1692 | 1693 |
The Viscount Falkland (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1693 | 1694 |
The Earl of Orford Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford Admiral of the Fleet Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford, PC was the First Lord of the Admiralty under King William III.-Naval career:... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1694 | 1699 |
The Earl of Bridgewater John Egerton, 3rd Earl of Bridgewater John Egerton, 3rd Earl of Bridgewater was the eldest son of John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater and his wife Elizabeth Cavendish. His maternal grandparents were William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle and his first wife Elizabeth Basset.He served as a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire as... (First Lord of the Admiralty) |
1699 | 1701 |
The Earl of Pembroke Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke, 5th Earl of Montgomery, KG, PC, FRS was a British politician during the reigns of William III and Anne.... (Lord High Admiral) |
1701 | 1702 |
Prince George of Denmark (Lord High Admiral) |
1702 | 1708 |
Lord High Admirals of Great Britain, 1708–1709
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
Queen Anne | 1708 | 1708 |
The Earl of Pembroke Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke, 5th Earl of Montgomery, KG, PC, FRS was a British politician during the reigns of William III and Anne.... |
1708 | 1709 |
First Lords of the Admiralty of Great Britain, 1709–1801
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
The Earl of Orford Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford Admiral of the Fleet Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford, PC was the First Lord of the Admiralty under King William III.-Naval career:... |
1709 | 1710 |
Sir John Leake John Leake Sir John Leake was an English Admiral in the Royal Navy and a politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1708 to 1715.Leake was born at Rotherhithe, the second son of Richard Leake, Master Gunner of England.... |
1710 | 1712 |
The Earl of Strafford Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1672-1739) Lieutenant-General Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford , KG , known as Thomas Wentworth, 3rd Baron Raby from 1695 to 1711, was a diplomat and First Lord of the Admiralty.... |
1712 | 1714 |
The Earl of Orford Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford Admiral of the Fleet Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford, PC was the First Lord of the Admiralty under King William III.-Naval career:... |
1714 | 1717 |
The Earl of Berkeley James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley Vice-Admiral James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley KG, PC was the son of Charles Berkeley, 2nd Earl of Berkeley and the Hon. Elizabeth Noel. He was known by the courtesy title of Viscount Dursley prior to succeeding as Earl of Berkeley in 1710... |
1717 | 1727 |
The Viscount Torrington George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington Admiral of the Fleet George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington, KB PC was a British naval officer and statesman of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His career included service as First Lord of the Admiralty during the reign of King George II.-Naval career:Byng was born at Wrotham, Kent, England... |
1727 | 1733 |
Sir Charles Wager Charles Wager Sir Charles Wager was a British Admiral and First Lord of the Admiralty between 1733 and 1742.Despite heroic active service and steadfast administration and diplomatic service, Wager's reputation has suffered from a profoundly mistaken idea that the navy was then at a low ebb... |
1733 | 1742 |
The Earl of Winchilsea Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea and 3rd Earl of Nottingham, KG, PC was a British politician. Styled Lord Finch until 1730, he was the eldest son of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and his second wife Anne Hatton, daughter of Christopher Hatton, 1st Viscount Hatton... |
1742 | 1744 |
The Duke of Bedford John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford KG, PC, FRS was an 18th century British statesman. He was the fourth son of Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford, by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of John Howland of Streatham, Surrey... |
1744 | 1748 |
The Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten... |
1748 | 1751 |
The Lord Anson George Anson, 1st Baron Anson Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson PC, FRS, RN was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role overseeing the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War... |
1751 | 1756 |
The Earl Temple Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple KG, PC was a British politician. He is best known for his association with his brother-in-law William Pitt who he served with in government during Britain's participation in the Seven Years War between 1756 and 1761... |
1756 | 1757 |
The Earl of Winchilsea Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea and 3rd Earl of Nottingham, KG, PC was a British politician. Styled Lord Finch until 1730, he was the eldest son of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and his second wife Anne Hatton, daughter of Christopher Hatton, 1st Viscount Hatton... |
1757 | 1757 |
The Lord Anson George Anson, 1st Baron Anson Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson PC, FRS, RN was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role overseeing the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War... |
1757 | 1762 |
The Earl of Halifax | 1762 | 1762 |
Hon. George Grenville George Grenville George Grenville was a British Whig statesman who rose to the position of Prime Minister of Great Britain. Grenville was born into an influential political family and first entered Parliament in 1741 as an MP for Buckingham... |
1762 | 1763 |
The Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten... |
1763 | 1763 |
The Earl of Egmont John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont PC, FRS was a British politician, political pamphleteer, and genealogist... |
1763 | 1766 |
Sir Charles Saunders Charles Saunders (admiral) Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, KB was a Royal Navy officer in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and later served as First Lord of the Admiralty. He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1766.-Early career:... |
1766 | 1766 |
Sir Edward Hawke Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke KB, PC was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is best remembered for his service during the Seven Years' War, particularly his victory over a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, preventing a French invasion of Britain... |
1766 | 1771 |
The Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten... |
1771 | 1782 |
The Viscount Keppel Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel Admiral Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel PC was an officer of the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the War of American Independence... |
1782 | 1783 |
The Viscount Howe Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe Admiral of the Fleet Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe KG was a British naval officer, notable in particular for his service during the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars. He was the brother of William Howe and George Howe.Howe joined the navy at the age of thirteen and served... |
1783 | 1783 |
The Viscount Keppel Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel Admiral Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel PC was an officer of the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the War of American Independence... |
1783 | 1783 |
The Viscount Howe Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe Admiral of the Fleet Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe KG was a British naval officer, notable in particular for his service during the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars. He was the brother of William Howe and George Howe.Howe joined the navy at the age of thirteen and served... |
1783 | 1788 |
The Earl of Chatham John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham General John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham, KG, PC was a British peer and soldier.-Career:He was the eldest son of William Pitt the Elder and an elder brother of William Pitt the Younger... |
1788 | 1794 |
The Earl Spencer George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer KG PC FRS FSA , styled Viscount Althorp from 1765 to 1783, was a British Whig politician... |
1794 | 1801 |
First Lords of the Admiralty of the United Kingdom, 1801–1900
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
The Earl of St Vincent John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent Admiral of the Fleet John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent GCB, PC was an admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom... |
1801 | 1804 |
The Viscount Melville Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville PC and Baron Dunira was a Scottish lawyer and politician. He was the first Secretary of State for War and the last person to be impeached in the United Kingdom.... |
1804 | 1805 |
The Lord Barham Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham Admiral Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham PC was a British naval officer and politician.He was born at Leith, Midlothian to Robert Middleton, a customs collector of Bo'ness, Linlithgowshire, and Helen, daughter of Charles Dundas.-Naval career:Middleton entered the Royal Navy in 1741 as captain's... |
1805 | 1806 |
Viscount Howick Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, KG, PC , known as Viscount Howick between 1806 and 1807, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 22 November 1830 to 16 July 1834. A member of the Whig Party, he backed significant reform of the British government and was among the... |
1806 | 1806 |
Thomas Grenville Thomas Grenville Thomas Grenville PC was a British politician and bibliophile.-Background and education:Grenville was the second son of Prime Minister George Grenville and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Wyndham, 3rd Baronet... |
1806 | 1807 |
The Lord Mulgrave Henry Phipps, 1st Earl of Mulgrave Henry Phipps, 1st Earl of Mulgrave GCB, PC , styled The Honourable Henry Phipps until 1792 and known as The Lord Mulgrave from 1792 to 1812, was a British soldier and politician... |
1807 | 1810 |
Charles Philip Yorke Charles Philip Yorke Charles Philip Yorke PC, FRS, FSA , was a British politician. He notably served as Home Secretary from 1803 to 1804.-Background:... |
1810 | 1812 |
The Viscount Melville Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville KT, PC, FRS was a British statesman, the son of Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount. Dundas was the Member of Parliament for Hastings in 1794, Rye in 1796 and Midlothian in 1801. He was also Keeper of the Signet for Scotland from 1800... |
1812 | 1827 |
HRH The Duke of Clarence William IV of the United Kingdom William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death... (Lord High Admiral) |
1827 | 1828 |
The Viscount Melville Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville KT, PC, FRS was a British statesman, the son of Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount. Dundas was the Member of Parliament for Hastings in 1794, Rye in 1796 and Midlothian in 1801. He was also Keeper of the Signet for Scotland from 1800... |
1828 | 1830 |
Sir James Graham, Bt | 1830 | 1834 |
The Lord Auckland George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, GCB, PC was a British Whig politician and colonial administrator. He was thrice First Lord of the Admiralty and also served as Governor-General of India between 1836 and 1842.... |
1834 | 1834 |
The Earl de Grey Thomas Robinson, 2nd Earl de Grey Thomas Philip de Grey, 2nd Earl de Grey KG, PC, FRS , known as The Lord Grantham from 1786 to 1833, was a British Tory politician and statesman of the 19th century... |
1834 | 1835 |
The Lord Auckland George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, GCB, PC was a British Whig politician and colonial administrator. He was thrice First Lord of the Admiralty and also served as Governor-General of India between 1836 and 1842.... |
1835 | 1835 |
The Earl of Minto Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto GCB, PC , styled as Viscount Melgund between 1813 and 1814, was a British diplomat and Whig politician.-Background and education:... |
1835 | 1841 |
The Earl of Haddington Thomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of Haddington Thomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of Haddington KT PC FRS , known as Lord Binning from 1794 to 1828, was a British Conservative politician and statesman.-Background and education:... |
1841 | 1846 |
The Earl of Ellenborough Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough GCB, PC was a British Tory politician. He was four times President of the Board of Control and also served as Governor-General of India between 1842 and 1844.-Background and education:... |
1846 | 1846 |
The Earl of Auckland George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, GCB, PC was a British Whig politician and colonial administrator. He was thrice First Lord of the Admiralty and also served as Governor-General of India between 1836 and 1842.... |
1846 | 1849 |
Sir Francis Baring, Bt Francis Baring, 1st Baron Northbrook Francis Thornhill Baring, 1st Baron Northbrook PC , known as Sir Francis Baring, Bt, from 1848 to 1866, was a British Whig politician who served in the governments of Lord Melbourne and Lord John Russell.... |
1849 | 1852 |
The Duke of Northumberland Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland Admiral Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland KG, PC, FRS , styled Lord Algernon Percy until 1816 and known as The Lord Prudhoe between 1816 and 1847, was a British naval commander, explorer and Conservative politician.-Background:Northumberland was the younger son of General Hugh Percy, 2nd... |
1852 | 1852 |
Sir James Graham, Bt | 1852 | 1855 |
Sir Charles Wood, Bt Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax GCB PC , known as Sir Charles Wood, 3rd Bt between 1846 and 1866, was a British Whig politician and Member of Parliament. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846 to 1852.... |
1855 | 1858 |
Sir John Pakington, Bt John Pakington, 1st Baron Hampton John Somerset Pakington, 1st Baron Hampton GCB, PC FRS , known as Sir John Pakington, Bt from 1846 to 1874, was a British Conservative politician.-Background and education:... |
1858 | 1859 |
The Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour, 12th Duke of Somerset Sir Edward Adolphus Seymour , 12th Duke of Somerset, etc. KG, PC , styled Baron Seymour until 1855, was a British Whig aristocrat and politician, who served in various cabinet positions in the mid-19th century... |
1859 | 1866 |
Sir John Pakington, Bt John Pakington, 1st Baron Hampton John Somerset Pakington, 1st Baron Hampton GCB, PC FRS , known as Sir John Pakington, Bt from 1846 to 1874, was a British Conservative politician.-Background and education:... |
1866 | 1867 |
Hon. Henry Lowry-Corry | 1867 | 1868 |
Hugh Childers Hugh Childers Hugh Culling Eardley Childers was a British and Australian Liberal statesman of the nineteenth century. He is perhaps best known for his reform efforts at the Admiralty and the War Office... |
1868 | 1871 |
George Goschen (Viscount Goschen from 1900) |
1871 | 1874 |
George Ward Hunt George Ward Hunt George Ward Hunt was a British Conservative Party politician and statesman, Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Admiralty in 1st and 2nd ministries of Benjamin Disraeli.-Background:... |
1874 | 1877 |
W. H. Smith | 1877 | 1880 |
The Earl of Northbrook Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook Thomas George Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook PC, GCSI, FRS , was a British Liberal politician and statesman... |
1880 | 1885 |
Lord George Hamilton Lord George Hamilton Lord George Francis Hamilton GCSI, PC, JP was a British Conservative Party politician of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.-Background:... |
1885 | 1886 |
The Marquess of Ripon George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon George Frederick Samuel Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon KG, GCSI, CIE, PC , known as Viscount Goderich from 1833 to 1859 and as the Earl de Grey and Ripon from 1859 to 1871, was a British politician who served in every Liberal cabinet from 1861 until his death forty-eight years later.-Background... |
1886 | 1886 |
Lord George Hamilton Lord George Hamilton Lord George Francis Hamilton GCSI, PC, JP was a British Conservative Party politician of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.-Background:... |
1886 | 1892 |
The Earl Spencer John Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer KG, PC , known as Viscount Althorp from 1845 to 1857 , was a British Liberal Party politician under and close friend of British prime minister William Ewart Gladstone... |
1892 | 1895 |
George Goschen (Viscount Goschen from 1900) |
1895 | 1900 |
First Lords of the Admiralty of the United Kingdom, 1900–1964
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
The Earl of Selborne William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne William Waldegrave Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne KG, GCMG, PC , styled Viscount Wolmer between 1882 and 1895, was a British politician and colonial administrator.-Background and education:... |
1900 | 1905 |
The Earl Cawdor Frederick Campbell, 3rd Earl Cawdor Frederick Archibald Vaughan Campbell, 3rd Earl Cawdor PC, DL, JP , styled Viscount Emlyn from 1860 to 1898, was a British Conservative politician... |
1905 | 1905 |
The Lord Tweedmouth Edward Marjoribanks, 2nd Baron Tweedmouth Edward Marjoribanks, 2nd Baron Tweedmouth KT, PC was a British Liberal Party statesman who sat in the House of Commons from 1880 until 1894 when he inherited his peerage and then sat in the House of Lords... |
1905 | 1908 |
Reginald McKenna Reginald McKenna Reginald McKenna was a British banker and Liberal politician. He notably served as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer during the premiership of H. H. Asquith.-Background and education:... |
1908 | 1911 |
Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice... |
1911 | 1915 |
Arthur Balfour Arthur Balfour Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour, KG, OM, PC, DL was a British Conservative politician and statesman... (Earl of Balfour from 1922) |
1915 | 1916 |
Sir Edward Carson Edward Carson, Baron Carson Edward Henry Carson, Baron Carson PC, PC , Kt, QC , often known as Sir Edward Carson or Lord Carson, was a barrister, judge and politician from Ireland... (Baron Carson from 1921) |
1916 | 1917 |
Sir Eric Geddes | 1917 | 1919 |
Walter Long (Viscount Long from 1921) |
1919 | 1921 |
The Lord Lee of Fareham Arthur Lee, 1st Viscount Lee of Fareham Arthur Hamilton Lee, 1st Viscount Lee of Fareham, GCB, GBE, GCSI, PC was a British soldier, diplomat, politician and patron of the arts. After military postings and an assignment to the British Embassy in Washington, he entered politics and served as Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries and First... |
1921 | 1922 |
Leo Amery | 1922 | 1924 |
The Viscount Chelmsford Frederic Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford Frederic John Napier Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GBE, PC was a British statesman who served as Governor of Queensland , Governor of New South Wales from 1909 to 1913, and Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921, where he was responsible for the creation of the Montagu-Chelmsford... |
1924 | 1924 |
William Bridgeman (Viscount Bridgeman from 1929) |
1924 | 1929 |
A. V. Alexander A. V. Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough Albert Victor Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough KG, CH, PC was a British Labour Co-operative politician. He was three times First Lord of the Admiralty, including during the Second World War, and then Minister of Defence under Clement Attlee.-Background:Born in Weston-super-Mare and... (Viscount then Earl Alexander of Hillsborough from 1950) |
1929 | 1931 |
Sir Austen Chamberlain Austen Chamberlain Sir Joseph Austen Chamberlain, KG was a British statesman, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and half-brother of Neville Chamberlain.- Early life and career :... |
1931 | 1931 |
Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell Bolton Eyres-Monsell, 1st Viscount Monsell Bolton Meredith Eyres-Monsell, 1st Viscount Monsell, GBE, PC was a British Conservative Party politician who served as Chief Whip until 1931 and then as First Lord of the Admiralty.His parents were Lt.Col... (Viscount Monsell from 1935) |
1931 | 1936 |
Sir Samuel Hoare, Bt | 1936 | 1937 |
Duff Cooper Duff Cooper Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich GCMG, DSO, PC , known as Duff Cooper, was a British Conservative Party politician, diplomat and author. He wrote six books, including an autobiography, Old Men Forget, and a biography of Talleyrand... (Viscount Norwich from 1952) |
1937 | 1938 |
The Earl Stanhope James Stanhope, 7th Earl Stanhope James Richard Stanhope, 13th Earl of Chesterfield and 7th Earl Stanhope KG, DSO, MC, PC , styled Viscount Mahon until 1905, and known as The Earl Stanhope from 1905 until 1967, was a British Conservative politician.-Background:Stanhope was the eldest son of Arthur Stanhope, 6th Earl Stanhope, and... |
1938 | 1939 |
Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice... |
1939 | 1940 |
A. V. Alexander A. V. Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough Albert Victor Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough KG, CH, PC was a British Labour Co-operative politician. He was three times First Lord of the Admiralty, including during the Second World War, and then Minister of Defence under Clement Attlee.-Background:Born in Weston-super-Mare and... (Viscount then Earl Alexander of Hillsborough from 1950) |
1940 | 1945 |
Brendan Bracken Brendan Bracken, 1st Viscount Bracken Brendan Randell Bracken, 1st Viscount Bracken PC was an Irish businessman and a minister in the British Conservative cabinet. Primarily, the 1st Viscount Bracken is remembered for opposing the Bank of England's co-operation with Adolf Hitler, and for subsequently supporting Winston Churchill's... (Viscount Bracken from 1952) |
1945 | 1945 |
A. V. Alexander A. V. Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough Albert Victor Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough KG, CH, PC was a British Labour Co-operative politician. He was three times First Lord of the Admiralty, including during the Second World War, and then Minister of Defence under Clement Attlee.-Background:Born in Weston-super-Mare and... (Viscount then Earl Alexander of Hillsborough from 1950) |
1945 | 1946 |
George Hall (Viscount Hall from 1946) |
1946 | 1951 |
The Lord Pakenham Frank Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford Francis Aungier Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford KG, PC , known as the Lord Pakenham from 1945 to 1961, was a British politician, author, and social reformer... |
1951 | 1951 |
James Thomas James Thomas, 1st Viscount Cilcennin James Purdon Lewes "Jim" Thomas, 1st Viscount Cilcennin was a British Conservative politician. He served as First Lord of the Admiralty between 1951 and 1956.-Background and education:... (Viscount Cilcennin from 1955) |
1951 | 1956 |
The Viscount Hailsham Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone For the businessman and philanthropist, see Quintin Hogg Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, KG, CH, PC, QC, FRS , formerly 2nd Viscount Hailsham , was a British politician who was known for the longevity of his career, the vigour with which he campaigned for the Conservative... |
1956 | 1957 |
The Earl of Selkirk George Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Earl of Selkirk Group Captain George "Geordie" Nigel Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Earl of Selkirk, KT, GCMG, GBE, AFC, AE, PC, QC , was a Scottish nobleman and Conservative politician.-Early life:... |
1957 | 1959 |
The Lord Carrington Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington Peter Alexander Rupert Carington, 6th Baron Carrington, is a British Conservative politician. He served as British Foreign Secretary between 1979 and 1982 and as the sixth Secretary General of NATO from 1984 to 1988. He is the last surviving member of the Cabinets of both Harold Macmillan and Sir... |
1959 | 1963 |
The Earl Jellicoe George Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe George Patrick John Rushworth Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe, KBE, DSO, MC, PC, FRS was a British politician and statesman, diplomat and businessman.... |
1963 | 1964 |
Lord High Admirals, 1964–present
Name | Entered office | Left office |
---|---|---|
Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,... |
1964 | 2011 |
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch.... |
2011 | incumbent |