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Admiral Rodney

The Lord Rodney
Admiral of the White by Thomas Gainsborough.jpg
Admiral Rodney after the Battle of the Saintes, 1782 by Thomas Gainsborough. Behind is the French fleur de lys naval ensign from the captured Ville De Paris
Born bap. 13 February 1718
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
Died 24 May 1792(1792-05-24) (aged 74)
Hanover Square, London
Buried at Old Alresford
Allegiance  Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Years of service 1732–1792
Rank Admiral
Commands held Greenwich Hospital
Jamaica Station
Leeward Islands Station
Battles/wars
Awards Knight of the Order of the Bath

George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB (bap. 13 February 1718 — 24 May 1792) was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782. It is often claimed that he was the commander to have pioneered the tactic of "breaking the line".

Rodney came from a distinguished but poor background, and went to sea at the age of fourteen. His first major action was 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 House of Commons of Great Britain. During the Seven Years' War, Rodney was involved in a number of amphibious operations such as the raids on Rochefort and Le Havre and the Siege of Louisbourg. He became well known for his role in the capture of Martinique in 1762. Following the Peace of Paris, Rodney's financial situation stagnated. He spent large sums of money pursuing his political ambitions. By 1774 he had run up large debts and was forced to flee Britain to avoid his creditors. He was in a French jail when war was declared in 1778. Thanks to a benefactor, Rodney was able to secure his release and return to Britain where he was appointed to a new command.


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