William Cornwallis

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Admiral William Cornwallis after a portrait by Daniel Gardner , published in the Naval Chronicle

Sir William Cornwallis , GCB , ( February 25, 1744 - June 5, 1819 ) was a British admiral and brother of Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis .

Life

He fought with distinction on the British coasts against the French until 1765, then in America, especially in Jamaica against Picquet de la Motte , and in the East Indies he contributed significantly to the conquest of French possessions from 1781. On June 23, 1793, he inflicted a complete defeat on the French fleet in Indian waters and became commander of the British naval power there. After Britain returned, he became in 1799 the admiral of the red flag raised was in command in the channel for a short time in 1801 and from 1803 to 1806 and retired after into private life. He became Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1815 and died on June 5, 1819.

The Cornwallis island in Antarctica is named after him.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Cornwallis, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British admiral
DATE OF BIRTH February 25, 1744
DATE OF DEATH June 5, 1819