Robert Holmes (Royal Navy officer)

Sir Robert Holmes
Sir Frescheville Holles (on left) and Sir Robert Holmes (on right), painted by Peter Lely
Governor of the Isle of Wight
In office
1668–1692
MonarchsCharles II
James II & VII
William III & II and Mary II
Preceded byThe Lord Colepeper
Succeeded byHon. Thomas Tollemache
Vice-Admiral of Hampshire
In office
1669–1692
Preceded byThe Lord Colepeper
Succeeded byMarquess of Winchester
Member of Parliament for Yarmouth
In office
1689–1690
Serving with Hon. Fitton Gerard
MonarchCharles II
Preceded byThomas Wyndham
William Hewer
Succeeded bySir John Trevor
Charles Duncombe
Personal details
Born1622 (1622)
Died18 November 1692(1692-11-18) (aged 69–70)
NationalityBritish
ChildrenMary Holmes
ParentHenry Holmes
RelativesSir John Holmes (brother)
Henry Holmes (nephew)
Thomas Holmes (grandson)
Henry Holmes (grandson)
Charles Holmes (grandson)
Military career
AllegianceKingdom of England England
Service/branch English Army
 Royal Navy
Years of service1643–1687
RankCaptain (Army)
Admiral (Navy)
Commands heldRoyal Charles
HMS Reserve
HMS Revenge

Admiral Sir Robert Holmes (c. 1622 – 18 November 1692) was an English Royal Navy officer. He participated in the second and third Anglo-Dutch Wars, both of which he is, by some, credited with having started. He was made Governor of the Isle of Wight, where he is buried in Yarmouth Parish Church.

Holmes is chiefly remembered for his exploits on the cruise to Guinea in 1664 on the behalf of the Royal African Company, and carrying out Holmes's Bonfire of 1666. He is regarded as an archetypal figure both of the quarrelsome restoration officer and of the coming into being of the British professional naval officer.