Richard Edwards (Royal Navy officer, died 1795)

Not to be confused with the earlier Royal Navy officer and Newfoundland Governor Richard Edwards (died 1773).
Richard Edwards

Admiral Richard Edwards, RN, painted by Nathaniel Dance, 1780
Born c.1715
Died 3 February 1795
Fordwich, Kent
Allegiance  Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Rank Admiral
Commands held Nore Command

Admiral Richard Edwards (c. 1715 – 3 February 1795) naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland.

Edwards was promoted to lieutenant in 1740 and to captain in 1753.[1] He was appointed governor of Newfoundland for his first term in 1757.[1] His main concern was defence of the colony as Britain and France were at war.[1] Edwards was re-appointed governor for a second term in 1779 and was again concerned with the colony's defences – only this time against American privateers.[1] In 1780 he formed the Newfoundland Volunteers under the command of Robert Pringle.[1] Edwards ordered the construction of Fort Townshend (see Lord Townshend) and the Quidi Vidi batteries including those at Petty Harbour.[1] Promoted vice-admiral in 1787, he became in Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1788.[1] He was promoted to Admiral of the Blue in 1794.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Thompson, Frederic F. (1979). "Edwards, Richard". In Halpenny, Francess G. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. IV (1771–1800) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
Political offices
Preceded by
Richard Dorrill		 Governor of Newfoundland
1757–1759 		Succeeded by
James Webb
Preceded by
John Montagu		 Governor of Newfoundland
1779–1781 		Succeeded by
John Campbell
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Andrew Hamond		 Commander-in-Chief, The Nore
1788–1792 		Succeeded by
William Locker


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