John Talbot (Royal Navy officer)


Sir John Talbot
Bornc.1769 (1769)
Malahide, Dublin
Died7 July 1851(1851-07-07) (aged 81–82)
Lyme Regis, Dorset
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1784–1815
RankAdmiral
CommandsHMS Helena
HMS Eurydice
HMS Glenmore
HMS Leander
HMS Centaur
HMS Thunderer
HMS Victorious
Battles / wars
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Admiral Sir John Talbot GCB (c. 1769 – 7 July 1851) was a senior British Royal Navy officer who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and was engaged in several prominent single ship actions, all of which were successful. Later, during the War of 1812, Talbot was engaged in blockading the Connecticut coast and following the war retired to his country seat, never returning to service.

Talbot's most famous actions were the capture of the French frigate Ville de Milan in 1805 while commander of HMS Leander and the capture of the ship of the line Rivoli in the Adriatic Sea on her maiden voyage, during Battle of Pirano. During the latter engagement Talbot was badly wounded and was subsequently presented with a gold medal for his success.