Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [1794-1807] (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
5 vols
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Jervis, son of Swynfen Jervis, Counsel to the Admiralty between 1747 and 1757, entered the Navy against his father's wishes in 1749. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1755, served with distinction in the Seven Years War and reached captain's rank in 1760. He served in the Channel during the American War of Independence. After the war he became a Member of Parliament, representing Launceston, Yarmouth and Wycombe successively. In 1787 Jervis became a rear-admiral and in 1793 a vice-admiral. He was Commander-in-chief of the West Indies Expedition, 1793 to 1794, capturing Martinique and Guadeloupe. He returned home in 1795 and in the same year was promoted to admiral and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean. In February 1797 he defeated the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, for which victory he was created an earl. He gave up his command in 1799. After a brief period in command of the Channel Fleet he served as First Lord of the Admiralty, 1801 to 1804. His term of office aroused considerable controversy and he refused further service afloat until after the death of Pitt, but took the Channel command in 1806. He resigned after a further change of ministry in 1807. In 1821 he was made Admiral of the Fleet. Among a number of biographies is Jedediah Tucker, Memoirs of Admiral the Rt. Hon.The Earl of St. Vincent G.C.B.. (London, 1844), while some correspondence has been published by David Bonner-Smith, ed., 'Letters of Admiral of the Fleet the Earl of St. Vincent whilst First Lord of the Admiralty 1801 to 1804' (Navy Records Society, 1922, 1927, 2 vols).
Repository
Archival history
GB 0064 JER [1794-1807] Collection 5 vols Jervis , John , 1735-1823 , Earl of St Vincent , Admiral of the Fleet
Jervis, son of Swynfen Jervis, Counsel to the Admiralty between 1747 and 1757, entered the Navy against his father's wishes in 1749. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1755, served with distinction in the Seven Years War and reached captain's rank in 1760. He served in the Channel during the American War of Independence. After the war he became a Member of Parliament, representing Launceston, Yarmouth and Wycombe successively. In 1787 Jervis became a rear-admiral and in 1793 a vice-admiral. He was Commander-in-chief of the West Indies Expedition, 1793 to 1794, capturing Martinique and Guadeloupe. He returned home in 1795 and in the same year was promoted to admiral and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean. In February 1797 he defeated the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, for which victory he was created an earl. He gave up his command in 1799. After a brief period in command of the Channel Fleet he served as First Lord of the Admiralty, 1801 to 1804. His term of office aroused considerable controversy and he refused further service afloat until after the death of Pitt, but took the Channel command in 1806. He resigned after a further change of ministry in 1807. In 1821 he was made Admiral of the Fleet. Among a number of biographies is Jedediah Tucker, Memoirs of Admiral the Rt. Hon.The Earl of St. Vincent G.C.B.. (London, 1844), while some correspondence has been published by David Bonner-Smith, ed., 'Letters of Admiral of the Fleet the Earl of St. Vincent whilst First Lord of the Admiralty 1801 to 1804' (Navy Records Society, 1922, 1927, 2 vols).
The papers were purchased from a dealer in 1941.
Papers of John Jervis, consisting of letters and copies of letters received from Lord Nelson, 1794 to 1804.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
English
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
These papers were inherited through St. Vincent's nephew, Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Parker (q.v.), in whose collection there are further papers of St. Vincent. His lieutenant's promotion book, 1801, was loaned to the Museum by Mr H.R. Reade, in 1962. There is also his letterbook, 1806 to 1807, in the section of volumes acquired singly by the Museum.
Edited by Sarah Drewery, Sep 2011.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
2011-05-13 Nelson , Horatio , 1758-1805 , 1st Viscount Nelson of the Nile and Burnham Thorpe , Vice-Admiral Naval affairs Jervis , John , 1735-1823 , Earl of St Vincent , Admiral of the Fleet Napoleonic Wars (1800-1815) Parker , Sir , William , 1781-1866 , 1st Baronet , Admiral of the Fleet Royal Navy Military affairs Wars (events) Military science Social sciences
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The papers were purchased from a dealer in 1941.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of John Jervis, consisting of letters and copies of letters received from Lord Nelson, 1794 to 1804.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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Please contact the Archive for further information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
These papers were inherited through St. Vincent's nephew, Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Parker (q.v.), in whose collection there are further papers of St. Vincent. His lieutenant's promotion book, 1801, was loaned to the Museum by Mr H.R. Reade, in 1962. There is also his letterbook, 1806 to 1807, in the section of volumes acquired singly by the Museum.
Finding aids
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
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Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
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Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English