Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg was born in Graz, Austria in 1854. Settling in Britain as a boy, he was naturalized as a British subject, and in 1868, entered the Royal Navy as a cadet. Advancing to midshipman and later lieutenant, he served on the North American and West Indies station and during the Egyptian War. Promoted commander in 1885 and captain in 1891, he was selected as naval adviser to the inspector-general of fortifications in 1892, remaining in that post until 1894 when he was appointed joint secretary of the Naval and Military Committee on Defence.
Battenberg was captain of HMS Majestic, the flagship of the Channel squadron, when Robert Falcon Scott was appointed torpedo lieutenant in the summer of 1897. In 1900, he was made assistant-director of Naval Intelligence, retaining that position until 1905, when he began his career as admiral at sea, having advanced to rear admiral the previous year.
In 1912, he was appointed first sea lord of the Admiralty, resigning in 1914 after the outbreak of the First World War. Renouncing his titles in 1917, he changed his family name to Mountbatten and was created first Marquess of Milford Haven, Earl of Medina and Viscount Alderney. He died in London in 1921.
From the guide to the Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg collection, 1899-1914, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
