Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth
A fearless frigate captain and daring leader whose naval exploits made him a hero to the British public and a terror to his enemies.
1757–1833 (age 76)·Royal Navy officer and politician·Birthday: April 19
Biography
Edward Pellew’s rise from a Cornish gentleman’s son to a viscount was powered by sheer audacity and seamanship. He made his name commanding frigates, the swift predators of the Napoleonic wars. As captain of the *Indefatigable*, he executed a famous single-ship action against the French *Droits de l'Homme*, driving the larger ship onto rocks in a ferocious gale. His leadership was personal and magnetic; he once leaped into the sea to rescue a drowning sailor. Later commands saw him quell piracy in the Mediterranean and lead a controversial but successful bombardment of Algiers to free Christian slaves. His career was a blend of romantic heroism and hard-nosed tactical skill.
#1 When Edward Was Born
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Edward's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1757Born
1762Started school
1770Became a teenager
1773Could drive
1775Could vote
1778Turned 21
1787Turned 30
1797Turned 40
1807Turned 50
1817Turned 60
1827Turned 70
1833Died at 76
Key Achievements
- Commanded the famous frigate HMS Indefatigable in a celebrated action against the French ship Droits de l'Homme in 1797.
- Led the bombardment of Algiers in 1816, which forced the Dey to release over 1,000 Christian slaves.
- Served as Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean and later in the East Indies.
- Was created Viscount Exmouth in 1816 for his service at Algiers.
Did You Know?
As a midshipman, he was present at the burning of the American city of Falmouth (now Portland, Maine) in 1775.
His younger brother, Sir Israel Pellew, also commanded a ship of the line at the Battle of Trafalgar.
The fictional character Horatio Hornblower is partly inspired by Pellew's frigate commands.
He was known for personally leading boarding parties and dangerous missions.
“Where there is a sea, fight; where there is land, fortify.”
