Berkeley, George Cranfield, Sir, 1753-1818

George Cranfield Berkeley (1753-1818) served in the British Navy from 1766 to 1812. In 1799 he was appointed Rear-Admiral and in 1805 he became a Vice-Admiral. In December 1808 he was appointed to the chief command on the coast of Portugal and in the Tagus, which he held until May 1812. On July 31, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral, and in acknowledgement of his services to Portugal was named Lord High Admiral of that kingdom. While on this assignment Berkeley's main duty was to command the supply ships and naval support of the Duke of Wellington in his Peninsular campaign against Napoleon Bonaparte. In May 1812 Berkeley returned to England and retired from public life.

From the guide to the Sir George Cranfield Berkeley papers MS 11., 1808-1813, bulk dates 1809-1811, (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX)