Sir William Penn (1621-1670), admiral, spent the early part of his naval career serving on the Irish coast. Between 1651 and 1652 he was engaged in the search for Prince Rupert. He served under Robert Blake during the Dutch war in 1653, when he was made one of the 'commissioners for ordering and managing the affairs of the admiralty and navy'. In 1654 he was appointed General and Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, and was sent to the Spanish West Indies, where he failed to capture St Domingo, but secured Jamaica. On his return to England he was held briefly in the Tower, retiring to Munster on his release. He was knighted at the Restoration, and appointed a Commissioner of the Navy. In 1665 he accompanied the Duke of York, and served with him against the Dutch. He died on 16 September 1670.
From the guide to the Lords Justices and Privy Council of Ireland: Letter to Sir William Penn, 1661, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)
