Henry John Rous | |
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Detail of a portrait of Henry John Rous with George Payne, by G. Thompson
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Born | 23 January 1795 |
Died | 19 June 1877 London, England |
(aged 82)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1808–1835 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | |
Battles/wars |
Admiral The Honourable Henry John Rous (23 January 1795 – 19 June 1877) was an officer of the British Royal Navy, who served during the Napoleonic Wars, and was later a Member of Parliament and a leading figure in horse racing.
Rous was the second son of John Rous, 1st Earl of Stradbroke, and was educated at Westminster School, and Dr. Burney's Academy. His elder brother was John Rous, 2nd Earl of Stradbroke, and his half-sister married Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham.
Rous entered the Navy on 28 January 1808 (aged just 13) as first-class volunteer on board the Royal William, under the command of Captain the Honourable Courtenay Boyle, and the flagship of Sir George Montagu, the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth. In February 1809 he moved into the 74-gun Repulse, Captain the Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge. After taking part in the Walcheren Campaign, in November 1809 he became a midshipman aboard Victory, flagship of Sir James Saumarez in the Baltic. In March 1811 he joined the ship Tonnant, Captain John Gore, employed off Lisbon and in the Channel; and from December 1811 he served in the frigate Bacchante, Captain William Hoste, taking part in the Adriatic campaign.