Edward Vernon (1684-1757), Admiral

Sitter in 5 portraits
He led the capture of the Spanish colonial possession of Porto Bello (now in Panama) during the War of Jenkins' Ear in 1739. Vernon's greatest claim to fame, was his 1740 order that his crew's rum rations should be diluted with water and have lemon juice added to prevent scurvy. The rest of the Navy rapidly followed, calling the new drink 'grog' after Vernon's nickname.