Vernon, Edward, Admiral, 1684-1757

The papers were purchased at Sotheby's by Sir James Caird in 1934. There are a few letters, 1714 to 1716, from Vernon's father and brother but the main part of the collection consists of correspondence received and draft replies, 1739 to 1742 and 1745, as well as Vernon's own order books, 1739 to 1741, and his out-letterbook to the Admiralty. Also included in the collection are a few papers of other members of the Vernon family, 1632 to 1837.

Administrative / biographical background
Vernon, popularly referred to as 'Old Grog', became a lieutenant in 1702, a captain in 1706 and saw service in the Mediterranean, West Indies and the Baltic. At the outbreak of war with Spain in 1739 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, West Indies, and was successful in capturing Portobello and at the bombardment of Cartagena, although unsuccessful in attempts to land at Cartagena and at Santiago de Cuba Vernon returned to England in 1742. In 1745, at the threat of a French invasion, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief at the Downs but fell foul of the Admiralty, was superseded and later struck off the list. He was Member of Parliament for Penryn, 1722 to 1734, Portsmouth, 1741, and Ipswich, 1741 to 1757 Among the biographies is G.H. Hartmann 'The angry Admiral, the later career of Edward Vernon, Admiral of the White' (London, 1953). Many of the papers have been published by B McL. Ranft 'The Vernon papers' (Navy Records Society, 1958)