Sir Samuel Cornish, 1st Baronet

Vice-Admiral of the Red Sir Samuel Cornish, 1st Baronet, FRS ( – 30 October 1770) was a Royal Navy officer and politician who represented New Shoreham in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1765 to 1770. He served in the War of Jenkins' Ear, War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years' War.

Early career

Samuel Cornish was born and joined the Royal Navy in 1728. Having been promoted to lieutenant in 1739, he participated in the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741. In 1742, Cornish was promoted to captain and was appointed as the flag captain of HMS Namur under Vice-admiral Thomas Mathews, serving under him in the Mediterranean. In 1758 Cornish transferred to HMS Union. He died on 30 October 1770 and left his large fortune to his nephew Captain Samuel Pitchford, who as the captain of HMS America had also taken part in the capture of Manila. The painting had been purchased by the National Maritime Museum with assistance from the Society for Nautical Research.