Richard Byron (Royal Navy officer)

Richard Byron (1724 – 1786) was a British Royal Navy officer and colonial governor. He is best known as the grandfather of the poet Lord Byron.

Byron entered the Royal Navy in 1731. He served with distinction throughout his career, participating in various naval engagements. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1743, and Captain in 1746.

During the Seven Years' War, Byron commanded the HMS America and distinguished himself in the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.

From 1764 to 1766, Byron circumnavigated the globe as commander of HMS Dolphin. While not the first to circumnavigate the globe, his voyage was notable for his exploration of the Pacific Ocean. He claimed the Falkland Islands for Britain, although the claim was contested by Spain. He also explored parts of Patagonia. His methods, including his encounters with indigenous populations, have been subject to historical scrutiny.

Upon his return to England, Byron published an account of his voyage. He was subsequently appointed Governor of Newfoundland in 1769, a position he held until 1772.

He achieved the rank of Vice-Admiral in 1779. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Leeward Islands Station, where he commanded the British fleet in several engagements against the French during the American Revolutionary War, including the indecisive Battle of Grenada in 1779. He was recalled to England in 1779 after complaints about his leadership and health.

Richard Byron died in 1786. His son, Captain John "Mad Jack" Byron, was the father of the poet Lord Byron.