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Admiral Sir Richard King, 1st Baronet (10 August 1730 – 7 November 1806) was a British naval officer and colonial governor.
Sir Richard King, Bt | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 10 August 1730 |
| Died | 7 November 1806 (aged 76) |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service |  Royal Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | HMS Blaze HMS Grafton HMS Northumberland HMS Pallas HMS Exeter The Downs Plymouth Command |
King was born in Gosport, the son of Curtis King and Mary Barnett.
He joined the Royal Navy in 1738 and served on HMS Berwick.[1] In 1745 made a lieutenant in HMS Tiger and in 1756 he was promoted to commander of the fireship HMS Blaze.[1] He took part in the capture of Calcutta in 1756 and commanded the landing party at the capture of Hoogly in 1757.[2]
In 1763 he was given command of HMS Grafton and in 1770 he took over HMS Northumberland.[2] He went on to command HMS Pallas from 1778 and HMS Exeter from 1779.[2]
He was knighted in 1782 for his services near Madras, India.[1] Promoted Rear Admiral in 1787, he was appointed commander-in-chief of The Downs in 1790.[1] In 1792 he became a baronet[3] and was made commander-in-chief and Governor of Newfoundland.[1] While King was in office France had declared war on Britain and King captured St. Pierre and Miquelon for the British[1] and was promoted Vice-Admiral in 1793.
He was elected Member of Parliament for Rochester in 1794, holding the seat until 1802.[4] In 1794 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth[5] and in 1795 promoted to Admiral.[1]
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In 1769 he married Susannah Margaretta Coker; they had four recorded children including his son Richard.
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