Sir Robert Kingsmill, Bt | |
|---|---|
 Admiral Sir Robert Kingsmill by Gilbert Stuart | |
| Born | 1730 Belfast, Ireland |
| Died | 23 November 1805 Sydmonton Court, Kingsclere, Hampshire |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain United Kingdom |
| Service |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1746–1805 |
| Rank | Admiral of the Blue |
| Commands | HMS Swallow HMS Basilisk HMS Crescent HMS Vigilant HMS Elizabeth HMS Duke Cork Station |
| Battles / wars | Seven Years' War American Revolutionary War French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars |
Admiral Sir Robert Brice Kingsmill, 1st Baronet (1730 – 23 November 1805) was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in a career that spanned nearly 60 years. Kingsmill was a contemporary and close friend of Lord Nelson, and was one of the prominent Royal Navy admirals of his time referred to as "The Conquerors of the Seas", illustrated in Piercy Roberts' 1800 engraving. He served with Rodney in the West Indies, where he was wounded in battle, and with Keppel at the Battle of Ushant. He took the time to embark on a career in politics as a Member of Parliament, giving this up several times to resume his service in the Navy when war broke out. Kingsmill rose to flag rank by the time of the outbreak of war with revolutionary France in 1793. As the naval commander-in-chief on the coast of Ireland, he repelled several attempts by the French to invade Ireland and foment insurrection. Kingsmill died on 23 November 1805 at Sydmonton Court as a baronet and with the rank of Admiral of the Blue.