John Charnock

John Charnock (28 November 1756 – 16 May 1807) was a Royal Navy volunteer and author. He wrote a book on the history of marine architecture, a book on Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, and Biographia Navalis about leading figures in Britain's Royal Navy.

Charnock studied at Trinity College, Oxford. He volunteered with the Royal Navy and researched historical and contemporary naval affairs. He was able to hear stories and obtain letters from his friends in the Royal Navy, especially Captain William Locker.

Life He was the son of a barrister, John Charnock of Stanford-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire, and his wife Frances Boothby. He studied at Winchester College and at Trinity College, Oxford, where he matriculated on 15 December 1774. In his student days, Charnock wrote political essays for periodicals. Then he fell out with his father over his chosen lifestyle, with his marriage as a possible further grounds for the rupture.

After Biographia Navalis, Charnock wrote History of Marine Architecture in a 3 volume set published from 1801 to 1802. He then published a Life of Lord Nelson in 1806. Locker's letters which Charnock had paraphrased for the book were later published in Sir Harris Nicolas's book, in original form: Charnock's versions had used more genteel language, uncharacteristic of Nelson. Biographical Memoirs of Lord Viscount Nelson - With Observations, Critical and Explanatory (1806)

Charnock also authored The Rights of a Free People 1792, A Letter on Finance and on National Defence, 1798, and many smaller pieces. Cambridge University Press has reissued some of his books as part of the Cambridge Library Collection.