Richard Edwards (Royal Navy admiral)

Not to be confused with the earlier Royal Navy officer and Newfoundland Governor Richard Edwards (died 1773).

For the World War I and II American admiral, see Richard S. Edwards.

For other people named Richard Edwards, see Richard Edwards (disambiguation).

Admiral Richard Edwards, RN, painted by Nathaniel Dance, 1780

Richard Edwards (ca. 1715 – Fordwich, Kent, 3 February 1795) naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland.

Edwards a member of the Royal Navy was appointed governor of Newfoundland for his first term in 1757. His main concern was defense of the colony as Britain and France were at war. Edwards was re-appointed governor for a second term in 1779 and was again concerned with the colony's defenses only this time against American privateers. Edwards ordered the construction of Fort Townshend (See Lord Townshend) and the Quidi Vidi batteries including those at Petty Harbour.

Service history:

• 1740 made a lieutenant,
• 1753 made captain,
• 1757 commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland (first term),
• 1779 commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland (first term),
• 1780 formed the Newfoundland Volunteers under the command of Robert Pringle,
• 1787 promoted Vice-Admiral,
• 1794 promoted Admiral

Family

Richard Edwards married Julia Pike of Carbonear, Newfoundland, by whom he had two daughters.

See also

• Governors of Newfoundland
• List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador

External links

• Biography at Government House The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Biography from Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Political offices
Preceded by Richard Dorrill	Governor of Newfoundland First term 1757–1759	Succeeded by James Webb
Preceded by John Montagu	Governor of Newfoundland Second term 1779–1781	Succeeded by John Campbell