George Byron, 7th Baron Byron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Admiral The Right Honourable
The Lord Byron
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 19 April 1824 – 1 March 1868 Hereditary peerage |
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| Preceded by | The 6th Baron Byron |
| Succeeded by | The 8th Baron Byron |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Anson Byron
8 March 1789 |
| Died | 1 March 1868 (aged 78) |
| Relations | Lord Byron (Cousin) Elizabeth Mary Chandos Pole (Wife) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1800–1862 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands | HMS Blonde |
| Battles/wars | Napoleonic Wars |
Admiral George Anson Byron, 7th Baron Byron (March 8, 1789 – March 1, 1868) was an important British nobleman and a skilled naval officer. He became the seventh Baron Byron in 1824. He took over this title from his famous cousin, the poet George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron. Unlike his cousin, George Anson Byron was known for his calm and steady personality and his long career in the navy.
Who Was George Anson Byron?
George Anson Byron was the only son of George Anson Byron and Charlotte Henrietta Dallas. His grandfather was Admiral John Byron, a famous explorer. This grandfather sailed all the way around the world between 1740 and 1744.
George Anson Byron married Elizabeth Mary Chandos Pole on March 18, 1816. They had seven children together:
- The Hon. Mary Anne Byron (around 1817–1885)
- Captain George Anson Byron, 8th Baron Byron (1818–1870), who later became the 8th Baron Byron
- The Hon. Francis Xavier Byron (1820–??)
- The Hon. Frederick Byron (1822–1861)
- The Hon. Georgiana Byron (1824–1893)
- The Rev. Hon. Augustus Byron (1828–1907)
- The Rev. Hon. William Byron (1831–1907)
Byron started his career in the Royal Navy as a volunteer in December 1800. He served during the Napoleonic Wars, which were major conflicts in Europe. By 1814, he had risen to the rank of captain.
In 1824, Byron was chosen for a special mission. He was to sail to Hawaii to bring home the bodies of the Hawaiian monarchs, King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu. They had sadly died from measles while visiting England. Byron set sail on the ship HMS Blonde in September 1824. Several scientists and his lieutenants, including Edward Belcher, joined him on this journey.
While in Hawaii, Byron explored the islands and wrote down his observations. With permission from the Christian missionaries there, he also collected wooden carvings and other important items from the old temple ruins of Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau. These items belonged to the chiefs of ancient Hawaii.
On his way back in 1825, Lord Byron made some important discoveries. He found and mapped Malden Island, naming it after his surveying officer. He also found the island of Mauke, which he named "Parry Island" to honor Sir William Edward Parry. Another island he discovered was Starbuck Island. This island was named after Captain Valentine Starbuck, an American whaler who had seen the island earlier.
Byron continued to advance in his naval career. He became a rear-admiral in 1849 and a vice-admiral in 1857. He finally retired as an admiral in 1862, after a long and distinguished service.
