John Colpoys

Sir John Colpoys
Portrait by W. Savage
Born	c. 1742
Died	4 April 1821 Greenwich Hospital
Allegiance	Kingdom of Great Britain  United Kingdom
Service / branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1756 – 1821
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Plymouth Command Greenwich Hospital
Battles / wars	Seven Years' War Siege of Louisbourg Capture of Martinique American Revolutionary War French Revolutionary Wars Spithead Mutiny

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.