Sir Michael Seymour, 1st Baronet

Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, 1st Baronet, KCB (8 November 1768 – 9 July 1834) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He served during the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, eventually rising to the rank of rear-admiral.

Family and early life Seymour was born in Pallas, County Limerick on 8 November 1768, the second son of Reverend John Seymour and his wife Griselda. He joined the navy at the age of 12, serving as a midshipman aboard the sloop-of-war , in the English Channel, under Captain James Luttrell. Seymour moved with Luttrell to in 1781. The Portland was then serving as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Richard Edwards, then the commander-in-chief at Newfoundland. Edwards was replaced by Vice-Admiral John Campbell in 1782, and both Luttrell and Seymour moved aboard . The Mediator then returned to Britain to cruise off the French coast.

Family Michael Seymour's younger brother, Richard, also joined the navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant. He served aboard but was killed in the battle against the French frigate Belle Poule on 13 March 1806. Michael Seymour married Jane Hawker, daughter of captain James Hawker, in 1797, and the couple had five sons and three daughters. His eldest son, John, inherited the baronetcy on his father's death. His third and fourth sons, Michael and Edward, followed their father into the navy. Michael had a distinguished career, rising to the rank of admiral. Edward served briefly as flag lieutenant under his father, but died relatively young, and was posthumously promoted to commander.