William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock

Infobox Person
name = William Waldegrave


caption = Admiral William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock, GCB
dead=dead
birth_date = birth date|1753|7|9|df=y,
birth_place = England
death_date = death date|1825|8|20|df=y,
death_place = London, England.

William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock, GCB (July 9, 1753 – August 20, 1825) was the Governor of Newfoundland and an Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Waldegrave was the second son of John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave and Elizabeth (nee Gower). Joining the navy at age 13 in 1766, Waldegrave rose rapidly through the ranks, receiving his own command, the "Zephyr" in 1775, and being promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1795. He was the third in command on the British side at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in February of 1797, and was offered a baronetcy for the role he played in the battle. Waldegrave declined the offer (on the grounds that as a son of an earl, he already held a higher station), and was appointed the Governor of Newfoundland, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, on May 16, 1797.

During Waldegrave's time as Governor, he was chiefly concerned with military matters, as a French squadron had burned Bay Bulls just a year prior, and Newfoundland was still quite exposed. Another key problem was desertion, as soldiers deserting to Newfoundland were generally sheltered by the island's inhabitants. A naval mutiny occurred shortly after Waldegrave's appointment and had to be stopped; Waldegrave also took steps to ensure that soldiers garrisoned in St. John's did not try anything similar. In military matters, he was often at odds with his commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Skinner.

Waldegrave made several attempts to restrict the power of the merchants on Newfoundland, and also to bring law and order to the island. Although his efforts against the merchants were largely ineffective, Waldegrave was successful in having a chief justice appointed who would reside year round. Waldegrave also undertook various humanitarian projects, especially to help the poor. He established a "Committee for the Relief of the Poor", and contributed generously to the fund. Between 1797 and 1798, nearly 300 people received assistance from this fund.

Waldegrave finished his term as governor in 1800, and was created an Irish peer as Baron Radstock. In 1802, upon his retirement Waldegrave was promoted to full admiral. In 1815 he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

Waldegrave was married in 1785 to Cornelia Jacoba van Lennap. They had two sons and four daughters:
* Hon. Emily Susanna Laura Waldegrave (d. 12 April 1870), married Nicholas Westby
* Hon. Isabella Elizabeth Waldegrave (d. 21 October 1866)
* Hon. Harriet Ann Frances Waldegrave (d. 26 July 1880), unmarried
* Hon. Caroline Waldegrave (d. 7 January 1878), married Carew Anthony St. John-Mildmay and had issue
* Vice-Admiral Granville George Waldegrave, 2nd Baron Radstock (1786–1857), married Esther Paget and had issue
* William Waldegrave (7 June 1796 – 29 December 1838), married Amelia Allport

See also

* Governors of Newfoundland
* List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador

External links

* [http://www.heritage.nf.ca/govhouse/governors/g33.html Biography at Government House "The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador"]
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p1111.htm#i11110 thepeerage.com]