Augustus Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Bristol
The Earl of Bristol by Thomas Gainsborough, with his ship Dragon and Castle Moro in the background
Born	19 May 1724 (1724-05-19) Derbyshire
Died	23 December 1779 (1779-12-24) (aged 55) St James's Square, London
Buried	Ickworth, Suffolk
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1735–1775
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands held	HMS Princess HMS Phoenix HMS Defiance HMS Hampton Court HMS Monmouth HMS Dragon HMS Centurion Mediterranean Fleet
Battles/wars	Seven Years' War
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Chudleigh

Augustus John Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol (born May 19, 1724 – died December 23, 1779) was an important officer in the Royal Navy and a politician. He became a Vice Admiral. He led several ships, including HMS Phoenix and HMS Dragon, during the Seven Years' War. He took part in battles like the Battle of Minorca and the Battle of Havana. Later, he also served in government roles, including Chief Secretary for Ireland and First Naval Lord.

Early Life and Naval Start

Augustus John Hervey was born in Derbyshire in 1724. He was the second son of John, Lord Hervey. He went to Westminster School starting in 1733. In 1735, when he was just 11 years old, he joined the Royal Navy. By 1740, he had been promoted to lieutenant.

A Career at Sea

Hervey in the Phoenix, taking 14 French ships at Argentiera, 9 November 1756

Hervey quickly moved up the ranks in the navy. On January 15, 1747, he became a post-captain. This meant he was in charge of his own ship. He commanded several ships, including HMS Princess and HMS Phoenix. In May 1756, he fought in the Battle of Minorca.

He continued to command ships like HMS Defiance, HMS Hampton Court, and HMS Monmouth. Hervey was known for his bravery against the French navy. He helped Admiral Hawke in 1759, though he was not at the Battle of Quiberon Bay.

In March 1760, he took command of HMS Dragon. With this ship, he saw action in important battles. These included the Capture of Belle Île in June 1761. He also participated in the Invasion of Martinique in January 1762. His last major battle was the Battle of Havana in June 1762.

After the Peace of Paris ended the Seven Years' War in 1763, Hervey's active time at sea ended. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1775. He became a vice-admiral in 1778.

Political Life

Hervey was also involved in politics. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bury St Edmunds from 1757 to 1763. After a short time representing Saltash, he again represented Bury St Edmunds from 1768.

In 1775, he became the Earl of Bristol after his brother passed away. This meant he moved to the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the British Parliament. He often spoke in Parliament debates.

He held several important government positions. From 1763 to 1775, he was a Groom of the Bedchamber to King George III. He also served as Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1766 to 1767. In 1771, he joined the Board of Admiralty as First Naval Lord. He left this role in 1775.

Personal Life and Legacy

In August 1744, Hervey married Elizabeth Chudleigh. Their marriage was later ended in 1769. Lord Bristol did not have any children.

He passed away on December 23, 1779, at the age of 55, in London. He was buried in Ickworth, Suffolk. His brother, Frederick, became the next Earl of Bristol.

Augustus John Hervey's legacy lives on in several places around the world. Captain James Cook named Hervey Bay, a bay and city in Queensland, Australia, after him in 1770. Bristol Bay, a famous salmon fishing area in Alaska, was also named by Captain Cook in 1778. Other places named in his honor by Captain Cook include Bristol Island in the South Sandwich Islands and the islands of Manuae and Te-O-Au-Tu in the Cook Islands.

Images for kids

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  18th century portrait of Elizabeth Chudleigh

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  His sister Mrs Constantine Phipps (1722–1780) and 3rd Earl of Bristol by Jean-Étienne Liotard, 1750.