Thomas Rich

Admiral Sir Thomas Rich, 5th Baronet (c.1733 – 6 April 1803) was a British naval officer and Member of Parliament.

He was born the eldest son of Sir William Rich, 4th Baronet of Sonning, Berkshire and his wife, Elizabeth Royall. He joined the British Royal Navy and was commissioned lieutenant on 25 March 1758. He succeeded as 5th Baronet on the death of his father on 17 July 1762.

In 1763 he commissioned the 6-gun cutter for service in the English Channel until 1766. He was then promoted commander of the 14-gun sloop in March 1769 for service on the North America Station. This was followed by the command in North America of the 24-gun from February 1771 to 1773.

He was promoted vice admiral on 1 June 1795 and advanced in retirement to admiral on 1 January 1801.

He died in Sonning on 6 April 1803. He had married Ann, the daughter and co-heiress of Richard Willis of Digswell, Hertfordshire. They left no children, and the baronetcy became extinct on his death. Rich however had six illegitimate children with Elizabeth Burt, the daughter of a general. Two of their sons, George Frederick Rich and Charles Rich entered the navy, rising to the ranks of post captain, and serving with Admiral Sir Edward William Campbell Rich Owen, who was the godson of Sir Thomas Rich. Sir Thomas's daughter Grace married Captain Anthony Abdy, while his youngest son Henry entered politics and was created a baronet in his own right in 1863.