William Rowley (Royal Navy officer)
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William Rowley K.B. (c. 1690 – January 1, 1768) was Admiral of the Fleet in the British Royal Navy and a Member of Parliament.
He greatly distinguished himself in the lost Battle of Toulon (1744) on HMS Stirling Castle. He became Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean in 1745 for the rest of the War of Austrian Succession. He successfully kept the Spanish and French fleets in their harbors.
He became Rear-Admiral in 1749, Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty in 1751 and Admiral of the Fleet on December 17, 1762.
He was also a Knight in the Order of the Bath.
He entered Parliament in 1750 as member for Taunton, and represented that town until 1754. in that year he was chosen to represent Portsmouth until 1761.
William Rowley married Arabella Dawson and had five children.
Several of his descendants reached high positions in the Navy:
- his son Sir Joshua Rowley, 1st Baronet, for whom the Rowley Baronetcy was created.
- his grandson Admiral Josias Rowley, 1st Baronet GCB, GCMG (1765-1842), known as "The Sweeper of the Seas".
- his grandson Admiral Charles Rowley, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCH (1770–1845)
- his grandson Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Martin, GCB, GCMG (1764–1847)
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| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lord Anson |
Admiral of the Fleet 1762–1768 |
Succeeded by Edward Hawke |