Anson

Anson, GEORGE, LORD ANSON, born 23d April 1697, at Slugborough Park, Staffordshire, entered the navy in 1712, and was made a captain in 1724. In 1739, on the outbreak of war with Spain, he received the command of a Pacific squadron of six vessels, with instructions to inflict whatever injury he could on the Spanish commerce and colonies, and he sailed from England in September 1740. Vessels, crews, and stores were alike indifferent; yet, in spite of all disadvantages, he achieved a brilliant reputation by the heroism, prudence, diligence, and humanity he displayed. With only one ship, and less than two hundred of his original followers, but with £500,000 of Spanish treasure, he returned to Spithead, June 15, 1744, having circumnavigated the globe in three years and nine months. His perilous cruise greatly extended the knowledge of navigation and geography. As a reward for his services, Anson was made Rear-admiral of the Blue (1744); and in 1747, having utterly defeated the French admiral Jonquiére, off Cape Finisterre, and captured £300,000, he was made Baron Anson of Soberton, and, four years later, First Lord of the Admiralty. In 1761 he received the high dignity of Admiral of the Fleet. He died at his country seat, Moor Park, Hertfordshire, 6th June 1762. Few works have been so popular as Anson's Voyage round the World (1748), of which, whether edited by Walter or Robins, he himself was virtually the author. See his Life by Sir John Barrow (1839).