John Colpoys

Sir John Colpoys
Portrait by W. Savage
Bornc. 1742
Died4 April 1821
Greenwich Hospital
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
 United Kingdom
Service / branch Royal Navy
Years of service1756 – 1821
RankAdmiral
CommandsPlymouth Command
Greenwich Hospital
Battles / wars
The Officers Monument, Greenwich Hospital Cemetery

Admiral Sir John Colpoys, GCB (c. 1742 – 4 April 1821) was an officer of the British Royal Navy who served in three wars but is most notable for being one of the catalysts of the Spithead Mutiny in 1797 after ordering his marines to fire on a deputation of mutinous sailors. Although this event resulted in his removal from active duty, Colpoys was a capable administrator who remained heavily involved in staff duties ashore during the Napoleonic Wars and was later a Lord of the Admiralty, Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath (later a Knight Grand Cross) and Governor of Greenwich Naval Hospital.