John Harman (admiral)

Sir John Harman
Sir John Harman, c. 1668
Born	c. 1625
Died	11 October 1673 (aged 48 yrs) London
Buried	St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Welcome; Diamond; Worcester; Torrington; Gloucester; Royal Charles; Resolution; Revenge; Henry; Lion; St David; London
Battles/wars	First Anglo-Dutch War Battle of the Kentish Knock Battle of Portland Battle of the Gabbard Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1660) Santa Cruz Second Anglo-Dutch War Battle of Lowestoft Four Days' Battle Martinique Capture of Cayenne Fort Zeelandia Third Anglo-Dutch War Battle of Solebay Battle of Schooneveld Battle of Texel
Spouse(s)	Katherine (died 1696)

Admiral Sir John Harman (c. 1625 – 11 October 1673) was an English officer of the Royal Navy, who served first under the Commonwealth, then Charles II following the 1660 Stuart Restoration.

Harman began his career in 1646, and fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War, as well as a number of other actions. At the start of the Second Anglo-Dutch War, he was captain of HMS Gloucester, the flagship used by James, Duke of York at Lowestoft in 1665. The English won a clear victory, but Harman was criticised for his alleged failure to pursue the beaten Dutch fleet. Despite this, in 1667 he was given command of a squadron sent to re-establish the English position in the Caribbean, a task he successfully carried out.

Subsequently acquitted for his actions at Lowestoft, he became Rear Admiral in 1672 and served in all three major actions of the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Promoted Admiral in August 1673, he succeeded Prince Rupert of the Rhine as commander-in-chief of the fleet, but died shortly afterwards on 11 October.