Sir Richard Grenville
(1542-1591), Naval commanderSitter in 5 portraits
A naval commander and cousin of Walter Ralegh, Grenville was put in charge of Ralegh's plan to colonise north America, and took the first settlers to Roanoke. In 1591 he took command of the queen's ship the Revenge on a raiding expedition to the Azores, but died from wounds received fighting fifteen Spanish ships for fifteen hours single-handed. The event was immortalised by the poet Lord Alfred Tennyson in Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet (1880).
after Unknown artist
oil on canvas, 17th century, based on a work of 1571
NPG 1612
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D2810
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D5921
by Unknown artist
stipple engraving, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D34928
published by Edward Harding
stipple engraving, published April 1802
NPG D25423
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