Josiah Burchett facts for kids
Josiah Burchett (born around 1665 – died 2 October 1746) was an important British naval administrator and politician. He worked for the Royal Navy for nearly 50 years as the Secretary of the Admiralty. This was a very powerful job in England, helping to manage the entire navy. He also wrote the first complete history of the Royal Navy, which is still used by historians today.
Contents
Early Life
Josiah Burchett was likely the oldest son of John Burchett. He married Thomasine Honywood in 1695.
Josiah Burchett started his career working for Samuel Pepys around 1680. Pepys was famous for his diary. Even though he later had some disagreements with Pepys, Burchett gained the trust of Lord Admiral Edward Russell.
Becoming Secretary of the Admiralty
In 1691, Josiah Burchett became Russell's secretary. This meant he worked both at sea with Russell and at the Admiralty office. In September 1694, he was given the very important job of Secretary of the Admiralty. He held this position for a very long time, until he retired at age 76.
Burchett was on Russell's main ship, the HMS Britannia, during the Battle of Barfleur in 1692. This battle was part of a big conflict called the War of the Grand Alliance. In 1693, he also became the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet. This role involved legal matters for the navy.
Serving as a Member of Parliament
Josiah Burchett was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sandwich. He was part of the Whig political group. He first became an MP in 1705 and served until 1713. He was elected again in 1721 and continued as an MP for another 20 years.
Using official reports from the Admiralty, Burchett wrote an important book called Memoirs of Transactions at Sea during the War with France. It was published in 1703.
In 1720, he published a much longer book: A Complete History of the Most Remarkable Transactions at Sea. This book was the first general history of the navy published in English. It was based on real reports received by the Admiralty. This book, along with another by Thomas Lediard, is a key source for understanding naval history from that time.
Family Life
Burchett's first wife died in 1713. He had a son and a daughter with her. He married his second wife, Margaret Arris, in 1721. After she died in 1740, he married his third wife, Isabella Wood, in the same year.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring with a good pension, Josiah Burchett spent his last years in Hampstead. He died there on 2 October 1746, at the age of 80. His wife received a pension after his death.
Because he held the job of Secretary of the Admiralty for so long, his books and writings are very important. He had access to many official navy papers. Historians who study the navy and maritime wars still use his work today. Unlike Samuel Pepys, Burchett did not leave behind a diary.
His Art Collection
Josiah Burchett spent most of his savings on a large collection of about 312 paintings. After he died, his art collection was sold at an auction in London. It included works by famous artists like Kneller, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens.
Works
- Burchett, Josiah, A Complete History of the Most Remarkable Transactions at Sea, 1720, London: J. Walthoe. You can find the original book online at archive.org. A newer copy was made in 1995, ISBN: 978-0-8201-1489-7.
See also
In Spanish: Josiah Burchett para niños
