Sir Robert Harland, 1st Baronet

Admiral of the Blue Sir Robert Harland, 1st Baronet ( – 21 February 1784) was a Royal Navy officer who served in the War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years' War and American War of Independence. He commanded HMS Tilbury at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre and HMS Princess Louisa at the Battle of Lagos. Harland went on to serve as Commander-in-Chief, East Indies and subsequently as First Naval Lord.

Life

Robert Harland was born in , the son of Captain Robert Harland of the Royal Navy. Harland followed his father's career and joined the British navy on 24 April 1729 as a volunteer-per-order on HMS Falkland. He was promoted to lieutenant on 24 February 1741 and served on HMS Princessa at the Battle of Toulon on 11 February 1744. He commanded HMS Monarch from 1748 and HMS Essex from 1755 before transferring to HMS Conqueror in 1758. Harland was subsequently promoted to Rear-Admiral of the Red on 31 March 1775, Vice-Admiral of the Blue on 7 December 1775 and Vice-Admiral of the White on 2 April 1776. He was further promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Red on 12 May 1778 and became second-in-command of the Channel Fleet, fighting at the Battle of Ushant on 27 July. He was made First Naval Lord on 1 April 1782 and was promoted to Admiral of the Blue on 8 April, continuing to serve as First Naval Lord until 30 January 1783. He died at his home in Sproughton in Suffolk on 21 February 1784.