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Sir Robert Holmes | |
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![]() Sir Frescheville Holles (on left) and Sir Robert Holmes (on right), painted by Peter Lely | |
Governor of the Isle of Wight | |
In office 1668–1692 | |
Monarchs | Charles II James II & VII William III & II and Mary II |
Preceded by | The Lord Colepeper |
Succeeded by | Hon. Thomas Tollemache |
Vice-Admiral of Hampshire | |
In office 1669–1692 | |
Preceded by | The Lord Colepeper |
Succeeded by | Marquess of Winchester |
Member of Parliament for Yarmouth | |
In office 1689–1690 Serving with Hon. Fitton Gerard | |
Monarch | Charles II |
Preceded by | Thomas Wyndham William Hewer |
Succeeded by | Sir John Trevor Charles Duncombe |
Personal details | |
Born | 1622 |
Died | 18 November 1692 | (aged 69–70)
Nationality | British |
Children | Mary Holmes |
Parent | Henry Holmes |
Relatives | Sir John Holmes (brother) Henry Holmes (nephew) Thomas Holmes (grandson) Henry Holmes (grandson) Charles Holmes (grandson) |
Military career | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() ![]() |
Years of service | 1643–1687 |
Rank | Captain (Army) Admiral (Navy) |
Commands | Royal Charles HMS Reserve HMS Revenge |
Admiral Sir Robert Holmes (c. 1622 – 18 November 1692) was an English Royal Navy officer. He participated in the second and third Anglo-Dutch Wars, both of which he is, by some, credited with having started. He was made Governor of the Isle of Wight, where he is buried in Yarmouth Parish Church.
Holmes is chiefly remembered for his exploits on the cruise to Guinea in 1664 on the behalf of the Royal African Company, and carrying out Holmes's Bonfire of 1666. He is regarded as an archetypal figure both of the quarrelsome restoration officer and of the coming into being of the British professional naval officer.