Richard Edwards (Royal Navy officer, died 1795)
Royal Navy Admiral and colonial administrator (1715–1795)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Admiral Richard Edwards (c. 1715 – 3 February 1795) was a Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator who twice served as the governor of Newfoundland from 1757 to 1759 and 1779 to 1781. He also served as Commander-in-Chief, The Nore from 1788 to 1792.
Richard Edwards | |
|---|---|
Edwards in 1780 | |
| Born | c. 1715 |
| Died | February 3, 1795 (aged 79–80) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Nore Command |
| Viceregal styles of Richard Edwards | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Reference style | His Excellency |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
Naval career
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 Great 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]
