(1697–1762) British admiral, remembered for his circumnavigation of the world (1740–44). Due to shipwreck and scurvy among his crew he returned with only one of his original six ships though with almost £500,000 worth of Spanish treasure. In 1747, off Cape Finisterre, he captured six French enemy warships during the War of the Austrian Succession. Later, at the Board of Admiralty, he created the corps of marines, and by his reforms and effective planning, played a major part in securing Britain’s naval successes in the Seven Years War.